Xi stresses nation's competitiveness

President Xi Jinping has highlighted the need to make the economy more competitive, innovative and able to resist risks as part of efforts to further bolster the real economy, especially the manufacturing sector, and improve the level of entire industrial chains.

Xi also urged steps to follow a new development philosophy and fully carry out the strategy to revitalize the country's northeastern area in a meeting with officials of Jilin province on Friday, wrapping up his three-day inspection tour of the province.

In promoting high-quality development of the economy, it is important to further reforms in the quality, efficiency and impetus of economic growth, said Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission.

Xi urged stronger measures to develop new types of infrastructure and quicker steps to establish integrated innovation platforms between enterprises, universities and research institutions.

The government must quicken its steps to transform its functions and foster a business environment that is in line with market principles, the rule of law and international standards, he said.

Xi highlighted the need to follow a new path of development that enables higher quality, improved efficiency and a structure that fully unleashes the strength of the province so as to enable the across-theboard revitalization of Jilin for the new era.

The country must devise sound plans for development for the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25), and it is important to conduct in-depth research, analysis and make scientific decisions to ensure healthy economic and social development, he added.

Xi visited Siping on Wednesday before traveling to Changchun, the provincial capital, on Thursday, where he visited a neighborhood, the exhibition hall for the urban planning of Changchun New Area and China FAW Group Co, the birthplace of China's automotive industry.

In developing high-tech parks, it is important to focus on the country's strategic demand, pursue high standards in planning and construction, give priority to the planning and development of infrastructure and open up industry and supply chains, he said.

Xi spoke with newly recruited college graduates at FAW and inquired about the employment of college graduates this year.

He called for authorities at various levels to give high priority to helping college grads find jobs, adding that the graduates should transform their concepts on job selection.

Xi stressed the need to reinforce independent research and development of core technologies and key parts in promoting the high-quality development of China's auto industry and to enable independence and self-improvement of technologies while making domestic brands bigger and stronger.

With competition still fierce in the global manufacturing sector, it is important to seize opportunities and vigorously develop strategic, emerging sectors to catch up with global leaders, he said.

During the Friday meeting with provincial officials, Xi emphasized that the deepening of reform in State-owned enterprises must be moved forward, while more work must be done to support the growth of private businesses and stimulate the vitality of various market players.

The province must play an active role in the Belt and Road Initiative and develop itself into a window for China to open up to the country's northern neighbors as well as a hub for cooperation in northeastern Asia, he said.

He urged local authorities to make proactive efforts to create new jobs, help the unemployed find work and prioritize support to college graduates, military veterans and migrant workers.

The work of promoting clean governance and fighting corruption must be further moved forward and constant efforts must be made to build a political atmosphere of integrity, he added.