Xi lists rare earths as important strategic resources, calls for central China's rise
Updated 08:39, 23-May-2019
CGTN
["china"]
00:44
Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged more efforts to enhance the comprehensive strength and competitiveness of the country's central region, listing rare earths as the country's strategic resources.
During his inspection tour of Jiangxi Province from Monday to Wednesday, Xi called on the central region to make new advances in its economic rise.
While visiting the JL MAG Rare-Earth Co. Ltd., a high-tech enterprise specialized in rare earth permanent magnetic materials based in Ganzhou City, east China's Jiangxi Province, Xi learned about the rare-earth production process and the development of the rare earth industry.
Chinese President Xi Jinping inspects the JL MAG Rare-Earth Co Ltd in East China's Jiangxi province, May 20, 2019. /Xinhua Photo

Chinese President Xi Jinping inspects the JL MAG Rare-Earth Co Ltd in East China's Jiangxi province, May 20, 2019. /Xinhua Photo

Xi spoke highly of the company's efforts in technology innovation while also attaching importance to ecological restoration. He stressed that technology innovation is crucial to development, saying that only companies with independent intellectual property rights and core technologies can survive the market competition.
Noting that rare earths are non-renewable resources with important strategic values, he urged the company to improve its innovation capabilities further, extend its industrial chain, add the value while staying committed to environmental protection to realize green and sustainable development.
At a working symposium in Nanchang City, the capital of Jiangxi Province, Xi gave eight instructions on the rise of the central region, highlighting the importance of promoting high-quality development in the manufacturing industry and encouraging integration to the technological and industrial reform. Noticing the financing difficulties for many small and medium-sized private enterprises, he vowed to improve the business environment.
Chinese President Xi Jinping presides over a working symposium on the rise of the central region in Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, May 21, 2019. /Xinhua Photo

Chinese President Xi Jinping presides over a working symposium on the rise of the central region in Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, May 21, 2019. /Xinhua Photo

Xi also encouraged provinces in the central region to enhance coordination with the eastern region as well as regions overseas under the Belt and Road international cooperation while staying committed to green development.
Xi said that improving people's livelihood remains a priority for the government, calling for greater support to the rise of the central region.
(With inputs from Xinhua News Agency)
(Cover: Xi visits JL MAG Rare-Earth Co. Ltd. in Ganzhou City, east China's Jiangxi Province, May 20, 2019. /Xinhua Photo)