Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday that China's reform and opening up will never stop, and China will make new achievements in the next 40 years that will impress the whole world.

President Xi made the remarks while visiting an exhibition on south China's Guangdong Province's development over the past 40 years of reform and opening up, part of his inspection tour in the province from October 22 to 25.

President Xi said this year marks the 40th anniversary of China's implementation of the economic reform and opening-up policies, and the country has made remarkable achievements over the last few decades.

Though there are difficulties and problems, we must overcome them and solve them, said Xi.

We must firmly follow the path of reform and opening up and explore more in-depth and broader areas, he added.

Better environment for SMEs

During a visit to an auto company in Guangzhou, Xi said private businesses have made great contributions to China's economic growth, and noted that the sector has a very promising future.

The CPC Central Committee always values the development of the non-public sector of the economy and is supportive of it, which has not changed and will not change, Xi emphasized, promising to create better conditions for the development of private businesses and small and medium-sized enterprises.

Manufacturing advancement

President Xi visited Gree Electric, a major appliance manufacturer of the country, and praised their efforts in advancing core technologies.

"Advanced manufacturing is a key to real economy," Xi noted, adding that practical efforts needed to be made in order to achieve economic development. 

"The initiative of innovation and development must be grabbed in our own hands," Xi told employees of the company. 

Poverty alleviation

The Chinese president also traveled to Qingyuan City and paid a visit to an e-commerce industrial park in Yingde, hoping to better understand how the sector helps targeted poverty alleviation work.

"The unbalanced development in urban and rural areas is the biggest shortcoming of high-quality development in Guangdong Province," Xi said. 

He hopes to see the region giving full play to its ecological advantages to further advance its development.

'Reform and opening up is the right road'

Later, President Xi went to the Qianhai-Shekou Free Trade Area (FTA) in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province.

He pointed out that the practice has proven that reform and opening up is the correct road to follow. 

Shenzhen should solidly promote the construction of the Qianhai area with more pragmatic and innovative reform measures, explore more experiences that can be replicated and promoted, deepen cooperation between Shenzhen and Hong Kong, said Xi, adding that the area has been encouraged to play a greater role in building and participating in international cooperation at a high level.

Cultural protection

In the afternoon of October 24, President Xi inspected Yong Qing Fang, an ancient alley, and Jinan University. 

During his stay in the alley, he visited the Cantonese Opera Art Museum and talked to the opera fans, encouraging them to carry forward the Cantonese opera. 

At Jinan University, Xi visited the exhibition of the school's history and performances as well as exchanges with Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan compatriots and overseas Chinese students, calling for students to work hard so as to make social contributions in the future.

After reviewing the report on the management of urban planning and construction in Guangzhou, Xi pointed out that the work should attach great importance to historical and cultural protection.

Xi listened to the work report and affirmed the work of Guangdong Province on October 25. Guangdong is the vanguard, pioneer and experimental area of China's reform and opening up, he stressed.