Pushing Northeast agriculture modernization to the forefront of the country
On July 31, Li Keqiang, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Premier of the State Council, presided over a meeting of the State Council on revitalizing Northeast China and other old industrial bases, analyzing new situations and new problems facing the current Northeast economy and studying related work to advance Northeast development.
Zhang Gaoli, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council, attended the meeting.
Li Keqiang said that the Northeast is the cradle of New China's industry and has made outstanding contributions to the country's industrialization. Since the strategy of revitalizing Northeast China and other old industrial bases was implemented more than ten years ago, the Northeast economy has reached a new level, social undertakings have flourished, and people's livelihood has improved markedly. But it now also faces new challenges: since last year, economic growth has continued to decline, production and operations in some industries have been difficult, and some deep-seated institutional, mechanical and structural problems have become prominent. General Secretary Xi Jinping and other central leaders are very concerned about Northeast development and revitalization. In accordance with the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, we must lift our spirits, rise to difficulties, and take effective measures to promote stable growth of the Northeast economy.
Li Keqiang stressed that development is the top priority. The Northeast has relatively strong support capacities in resources, industry and talent, and enormous development space and potential. We must focus on promoting scientific development, stimulate vitality through deepened reform, add momentum through expanded opening-up, enhance competitiveness through innovation-driven development, unleash potential through improving people's livelihood, and rely on endogenous development to push the Northeast economy toward the medium-to-high end while improving quality and efficiency.
Li Keqiang pointed out that at present we should concentrate our efforts on several major tasks that achieve multiple goals at once and strive to solve the difficult problems of Northeast development. We should pay more attention to deepening reform and carrying out targeted regulation. First, further advance the streamlining of administration, delegation of power, and optimization of services to stimulate market vitality, provide a fair market environment for enterprise operations and innovation and entrepreneurship, promote faster development of small and micro enterprises and the private economy, and pilot the establishment of private banks. Support should be given to pioneering trials in state-owned enterprise reform, promptly resolving problems left over from history, and promoting the transformation of resource-based cities. Second, strengthen livelihood security and increase the effective supply of public goods. Improve and make solid the social security system. Strengthen the construction of major infrastructure such as transportation, water conservancy and railway upgrading, and accelerate the renovation of shantytowns, old urban industrial areas and independent industrial and mining areas. Innovate investment and financing methods and attract social capital investment. Third, closely follow the transformation of the development model and structural adjustment, and strengthen the real economy. Focus on enhancing enterprises' research and development and supporting capabilities, extend industrial chains, and accelerate the development of emerging industries. Promote both producer services and consumer services in parallel and accelerate efforts to make up for “shortcomings”.
Li Keqiang said that in advancing Northeast economic development, attention should be paid to giving play to the Northeast's own advantages. First, strengthen the equipment manufacturing industry, seize the opportunities of major project construction such as high-speed rail, nuclear power and ultra-high voltage, promote technological and product innovation, and push “Northeast equipment” to the world. Second, push the Northeast to the forefront of the country in agricultural modernization. Advance the pilot comprehensive supporting reforms for modern agriculture, develop appropriately scaled operations on the basis of respecting farmers' wishes, support deep processing of agricultural products, accelerate grain storage construction, implement deep loosening and soil preparation and black soil protection projects, and improve the ecological environment. Third, strengthen the building of opening-up platforms oriented toward Northeast Asia, advance connectivity, and drive opening-up through the coastal economic belt and border ports.