Full coverage: China’s Leaders
Chinese President Xi Jinping has encouraged the country's northeast region to continue with its economic transformation. During a three-day visit to Heilongjiang Province, President Xi called for continued efforts in reforms and opening-up, innovation, and the creation of a better environment for economic development.
Chinese President Xi Jinping visits an Ecological Economic Development Zone in Yichun, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, May 23, 2016. Xi Jinping made an inspection tour in Heilongjiang from May 23 to 25. (Xinhua/Li Tao)
China's northeast, including Liaoning, Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces, was among the first regions in China to become industrialized. The region has seen sluggish growth in the heavy industry in recent years, but it's now poised for transformation.
When President Xi Jinping visited Heilongjiang Province this week, he saw for himself some of the changes.
One of the changes is within the forest areas, where logging is prohibited until 2020, to help restore the environment.
Those worked in the once-important logging industry had to turn to other means of living. President Xi visited some families and learnt of their difficult times in the past. Thankfully, lives are improving.
"The CPC Central Committee cares about all of you. The central government and the governments at all levels will continue their policies. I hope you can also mobilise your own efforts and find more ways to support yourself and make life better, as well as to revitalize this old forest area," Xi said.
At a rice-planting cooperative in Fuyuan City, Xi Jinping spoke with farmers and technical personnel, and inspected the various processes.
He said the specialized farmer cooperatives are a good way to develop modern agriculture while increasing the farmers' income.
He stressed that food security is an important foundation for national security. He also emphasized that in a bid to increase grain production, work should be done in innovating the food production model, optimizing production technology and implementing policy to encourage farmers.
Turning his focus to the ethnic minorities in the north, President Xi went to one of the villages belonging to the Hezhe - one of China's smallest minorities, and a distinctive fishing and hunting community.
He spoke highly of the Hezhe culture, especially on their fishing skills, artifacts, and their traditional Yimakan singing.
President Xi arrived at the capital city of Harbin on Wednesday, where he visited high-tech companies and research institutions.
He encouraged skilled personnel to work on core technology and innovations. He also called for a focus on cyber security.
The President said an enterprise-based and market-oriented technology innovation system should be built with a combination of production, teaching and research.
China has recently released a document, saying it will rejuvenate its northeast region through more reforms and economic restructuring. Major methods include the transformation of state-owned enterprises, support for private firms, and development of regional cooperation.
