Chinese President Xi Jinping said building transportation infrastructure is vital to China's economic development.
Xi made the remark on Thursday when he visited Tianjin Port during his inspection to Tianjin Municipality.
"Economy is the top priority in developing a country, and to achieve economic progress, building transportation infrastructure comes first," Xi said.
Chinese President Xi Jinping inspects Tianjin port on January 17, 2019. /Xinhua Photo
"We all shoulder the responsibilities to develop the real economy so as to realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation."
Xi was also briefed on how the Tianjin port facilitates the development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.
Chinese President Xi Jinping inspects Tianjin Port, January 17, 2019. /Xinhua Photo
Xi applauds volunteers for their contribution to society
Xi visited an exhibition of China's first community volunteer organization founded more than 30 years ago. There, Xi listened to volunteers' stories and applauded them for their great contributions to society.
Xi emphasized that the development of voluntary services is an important standard to evaluate social progress. He urges local authorities to build more platforms for voluntary services so that volunteers can play more active roles in social governance.
Innovation is the 'driving force' of high-quality development
At the last stop of his inspection, Xi inspected Chinese-made products exhibited in the synergy innovation exhibition center of Zhongguancun in Binhai New District, Tianjin.
During his visit, Xi instructed researchers to enhance innovation. He pointed out that innovation is the driving force of high-quality development and China needs self-innovation to keep moving forward.
He called on local authorities to provide more favorable circumstances for innovation so as to boost high-quality development.