Chinese president stresses focus of developing high-quality economy

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, joins a panel discussion with the deputies from Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region at the first session of the 13th National People's Congress in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2018. [Photo: Xinhua/Xie Huanchi]

The Chinese president says high-quality economic development should focus on transforming and upgrading industries.

Xi Jinping has made the comment while participating in a panel discussion with deputies from Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region at the first session of the 13th National People's Congress.

CRI's Yu Yang has the story.

President Xi Jinping says the Chinese economy has transitioned from a phase of rapid growth to a stage of high-quality development, warning that old ways of thinking might lead China almost nowhere and miss precious opportunities.

Xi Jinping points out that local governments should build on their strengths and tap their potential to develop more emerging, high-end, high-value-added and capital-and-technology-intensive industries, putting in place a multi-dimensional and multi-pillar modern industrial mix.

According to Xi Jinping, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region should develop its energy sector by following the latest global industrial trends. The energy sector's industrial chain should be extended and utilization rate improved.

Xi Jinping also calls for more intensive and precise efforts to help villages shake off poverty.

"The poverty alleviation fight should be complemented with China's rural vitalization strategy to improve living conditions of farmers and herdsmen. Actions should be taken against corruption and undesirable practices in poverty relief work, while demanding strict punishment for embezzlement of poverty relief funds, and elimination of practices like formalities for formalities' sake, bureaucratism, and falsification," said Xi Jinping.

Xi Jinping says efforts should focus on issues like industrial development, employment, infrastructure, public services, and healthcare. The medical security system should be improved to address poverty caused by illness.

He also called for fostering a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation and promoting ethnic solidarity.

"Core socialist values should set the tone of the common spiritual home of all ethnic groups, and they should be nurtured among the people, particularly children and even in kindergartens. Creativity should be encouraged in forms and means of promoting the core socialist values and learning from traditional culture of ethnic minorities. Efforts should be made to encourage all ethnic groups to watch out for and help each other and raise awareness of ethnic unity," said Xi Jinping.

The Chinese president adds that debt risk should be closely watched and effectively prevented.

Xi Jinping is also calling for more efforts on environmental protection.

Important projects should be pushed forward, including the China network of shelterbelts.

He says the region should try its best to strike a balance between protecting grass and raising livestock, strengthening desertification prevention and wetland conservation, as well as controlling water, air, and soil pollution.

For CRI, this is Yu Yang.