Xi calls for deepening reform in Gansu to advance Chinese modernization

LANZHOU, Gansu/BAOJI, Shaanxi - Chinese President Xi Jinping urged Northwest China's Gansu province to deepen reform, make innovation, and do solid work to improve the people's well-being and the region's prosperity, to write a Gansu chapter in Chinese modernization.

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 from Tuesday to Friday.

Gansu should take solid steps in improving ecological conservation and restoration, accelerating green and low-carbon transition, further deepening reform and opening up comprehensively, promoting rural revitalization across the board, better securing people's livelihood and strengthening ethnic unity, Xi said during his inspection tour in Gansu province.

On Tuesday afternoon, Xi visited the Fuxi Temple in Tianshui City, where he learned about the protection and preservation of cultural heritage. The temple is dedicated to Fuxi, a mythical ancestor of the Chinese nation.

It is imperative to protect and pass on the precious cultural heritage, so that the wisdom and creativity of ancestors will constantly inspire future generations and enhance national pride and confidence, Xi said.

On Wednesday morning, Xi listened to the report of a local water diversion project and urged better maintenance and management of the project so that it would play a greater role in improving people's lives.

While visiting a Huaniu apple production base, he emphasized the importance of optimizing cultivation of this variety and innovating marketing models so that this specialty industry will be expanded and more people will increase their incomes through it.

Xi then visited the Maijishan Grottoes, where he carefully inspected the caves, sculptures and paintings that date back over 1,600 years.

He called on cultural relic workers to make greater contributions to promoting the preservation and innovated development of China's traditional culture and enhancing its influence.

On Wednesday afternoon, Xi came to Lanzhou, the provincial capital. At a local residential community, he emphasized the necessity of focusing on the practical needs of residents, especially the elderly and children, and continuously improving community services.

During his visit to retired Party member Li Zongbiao, Xi said that local authorities have worked hard in providing elderly care, healthcare and community services and the work must continue and improve over time.

When speaking to local residents, Xi said 2024 marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the Chinese people should be more united and make more efforts to create even greater achievements.

He extended his holiday greetings to the residents ahead of this year's Mid-Autumn Festival, which falls on Sept 17.

Xi then inspected a section of the Yellow River near the Zhongshan Bridge in Lanzhou and learned about the ecological protection of the country's "mother river". He called for joint efforts in protecting the river so that it will benefit the people forever.

On Friday morning, Xi listened to the work report from the CPC Gansu Provincial Committee and the provincial government.

Gansu should promote new-type industrialization, accelerate the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries, build a significant national manufacturing base for new energy and new-energy-related equipment, and fortify the ecological security in the western part of the country, Xi said.

He stressed the need to deepen reform and expand opening up with greater courage and determination, and to implement the people-centered new urbanization strategy effectively.