Chinese President Xi Jinping has demanded greater resolve in advancing the country's reform and opening-up at a higher starting point toward further success. 

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks during an inspection tour in south China's Guangdong Province this week. 

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'Reform and opening-up' remains theme of Xi Jinping's visit to China's Guangdong Province

Xi sends 'clear message': CPC will stay firm on reforms and opening-up

Xi inspected work related to coordinating regular epidemic control with economic and social development, the deepening of reform and opening up, as well as the planning of economic and social development during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025). 

Heritage protection 

Xi visited local cultural and historical landmarks, including an ancient bridge, an old gate tower and a street lined with memorial archways, in the city of Chaozhou on Monday. 

Hailing the city's culture as an important part of the larger Chinese culture, Xi called Chaozhou's intangible cultural heritage represented by the region's embroidery, porcelain, wood carving, sculpture, opera, tea and cuisine precious treasures of the Chinese culture. 

The president has always insisted that the protection and exploration of cultural heritage assets must serve a country's development.

In October 2018, Xi stressed that more importance should be attached to preserving history and culture in urban planning and construction during his visit to Xiguan historical and cultural community in the Liwan District of Guangzhou City.

He stressed better protection of the city's heritage, noting that proactive efforts should be made to train inheritors of the intangible cultural legacy. 

Self-innovation 

Xi later visited Chaozhou Three-Circle (Group) Co., Ltd., a leading manufacturer of electronic components and advanced materials, to learn about the company's indigenous innovation and its research on key technologies. 

Independent innovation is key to the growth of companies, the upgrade of industries and the high-quality development of the economy, he said.

At the exhibition hall, laboratory and production workshop of the company, Xi inspected featured products and learned about its research on key technologies. 

"Now we are undergoing major changes unseen in a century, and we need to take the road of self-reliance on a higher level," said Xi.

Further reform and opening-up 

During a visit to Shantou on Tuesday, Xi urged the city to promote reform and opening-up at a higher starting point and keep abreast with others in the development of special economic zones in the new era. 

Xi also visited a museum of correspondence from overseas Chinese, where he said the Shantou Special Economic Zone (SEZ) should guide and encourage overseas Chinese to play bigger roles in supporting and participating in China's modernization, promoting Chinese culture, facilitating peace and unity of the country and deepening exchanges and cooperation between China and the world. 

Talking with residents and tourists at an old downtown area in Shantou, Xi said on the 40th anniversary of the SEZs, his visit to Shantou SEZ is a statement to both China and the international community that the CPC will lead the Chinese people in unswervingly following the path of reform and opening-up, working hard to advance socialist modernization, and striving to realize the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation. 

(With input from Xinhua)