Xi stresses confidence, hard work in central China inspection

ZHENGZHOU, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping called for unshakable confidence and hard work with great determination to write a magnificent chapter of the central region in the new era during his inspection tour to Henan Province from Monday to Wednesday.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, called for efforts to promote the continuous and healthy development of the economy as well as social harmony and stability to give people a stronger sense of fulfillment, happiness and security.

On Wednesday afternoon, Xi listened to the work reports of the CPC Henan Provincial Committee and the provincial government.

Xi said that China's development is in good shape, but the international situation is still complicated. China is faced with new risks and challenges and must manage its own affairs well.

Calling on Henan to promote high-quality economic development and seize the opportunities provided by the strategy for the rise of central China, he urged the province to focus on the high-quality development of the manufacturing industry and give priority to innovation in the overall development.

Xi also stressed efforts to actively push forward the supply-side reform in agriculture.

Xi noted that priority should be given to the protection of ecosystems and addressing environmental issues at the source.

On improving people's living standards, Xi called for particular attention to ensuring employment for key groups such as college graduates, veterans, laid-off and rural migrant workers, as well as those returning to rural areas.

He also called for efforts to help culture flourish, and promote the preservation, innovation and development of fine traditional Chinese culture.

Xi stressed that the first stage of the education campaign themed "staying true to our founding mission" had been concluded while the second stage had just begun, and called for efforts focused on dealing with the most urgent problems facing the people.

Education on red traditions should make Party members and officials remain true to the original aspiration and undertake their mission, and strive to advance the great cause that the martyrs fought and sacrificed themselves for, Xi said.

During the three-day inspection, Xi visited a martyrs cemetery and a museum in an old revolutionary base, handicraft shops and a homestay in a township, as well as an oil-seed camellia plantation, a village which had escaped poverty and a coal mining machinery company.

He also inspected the ecological protection of the Yellow River at a museum and a national geopark and met with senior military officers stationed in Henan.