Xi stresses furthering reform, opening-up to support innovation

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Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday stressed that reform and opening-up should be comprehensively deepened to create a favorable environment for innovation, entrepreneurship, and creativity.

Xi made the remarks when joining a panel discussion with deputies from southeast China's Fujian Province during the second session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC), China's national legislature.

Reform, opening-up, innovation

President Xi emphasized that the province should be more motivated to reform and opening-up, and constantly enhance its influence and competitiveness.

A photo shows the skyline of Xiamen, a scenic city in southeast China's Fujian Province, August 18, 2017. /Xinhua Photo

Xi also called for more support for innovation and entrepreneurship and encouraged the province to provide favorable conditions for the development of small and medium-sized enterprises and establish a mechanism for accelerated growth of high-tech companies.

Fujian should give full play to the advantages of special economic zones (SEZs), experimental free trade zones (FTZs), comprehensive experimental zones and core areas of the 21st century Marine Silk Road, to improve its competitiveness and take the lead in building a new open economic system, Xi added.

Cross-Strait integration

Xi also asked the province's senior officials to boost connectivity between Fujian and the other side of the strait, in all aspects such as infrastructure, trade, and natural resources.

Xi said the provincial government should serve the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait in an equal way, and make Taiwan entrepreneurs feel like home when they do businesses in Fujian Province.

Last year, the Chinese mainland released 31 measures aiming to share the opportunities of the mainland's development with Taiwan compatriots and Fujian Province rolled out 66 measures last June in offering favorable policies.

A gathering to commemorate the 40th anniversary of issuing Message to Compatriots in Taiwan is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, January 2, 2019. /Xinhua Photo

Xi also called for putting all measures that benefit Taiwan people into practice and listening to their voices.

Poverty relief for old revolutionary base areas

Xi also wanted to end poverty in old revolutionary base areas, saying that none of the old revolutionary bases should be left behind in the process of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects.

Precise poverty alleviation should be adhered to find the root cause of the poverty so as to enhance the effectiveness of poverty alleviation measures, he added.

It is necessary to have a long-term view, Xi pointed out, stressing coordinated actions to advance economic development and ecological protection.

Highlighting the three major defensive wars of blue sky, clear water and pure land, the Chinese president pledged to win the battle against pollution.

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