Xi Jinping stresses that technological innovation should be systematic, with the government setting the stage for all to play their part
Original headline: During inspection and research in Heilongjiang, Xi Jinping stresses that implementing the strategy of innovation-driven development requires focusing on building a technological innovation system
On the morning of May 25, Xi Jinping listened to scientific and technical personnel introduce cybersecurity technology research and development at Harbin Antiy Technology Co., Ltd. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Tao
General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, President of the country and Chairman of the Central Military Commission Xi Jinping recently stressed during inspection and research in Heilongjiang that revitalizing old industrial bases such as Northeast China is a major national strategy. Old industrial bases must seize opportunities, work hard and aim high, implement the new development philosophy, deepen reform and opening up, optimize the development environment, stimulate innovation vitality, build on strengths, overcome weaknesses and make up for shortcomings, and blaze a new path for the revitalization and development of old industrial bases under new circumstances.
In May, the land of Longjiang had clear mountains and waters, lush forests and green grass. From May 23 to 25, accompanied by Wang Xiankui, Secretary of the Heilongjiang Provincial Party Committee, and Lu Hao, Governor of Heilongjiang Province, Xi Jinping went to Yichun City, Fuyuan City, Jiamusi City, Harbin City and other places, going deep into villages, enterprises, forest farms and scientific research institutions to conduct inspection and research on implementing the outline of the 13th Five-Year Plan and promoting the revitalization and development of old industrial bases such as Northeast China.
Heilongjiang is a key forest region in the country. Xi Jinping has always been concerned about how the forest region's economy is transforming and developing, how ecological protection in the forest region is going, and how the lives of forest farm workers are. On the morning of the 23rd, as soon as Xi Jinping arrived in Yichun, he went to the planning exhibition hall of the city's ecological economic development zone, listened to an introduction to the zone's planning and construction, learned about the development of replacement industries after the comprehensive logging ban in the forest region, viewed displays of ecological products such as red pine nuts, black fungus, blueberry wine and root carvings, and asked about the production and operations of relevant enterprises and the employment of forest farm workers. Xi Jinping pointed out that in the past, forest farms provided timber for national construction, which was a contribution to the country; now, the comprehensive logging ban in forest regions and the protection and construction of the ecological environment are likewise a contribution to the country. The significance of protecting the ecological environment is strategic. The economic transformation and development of forest regions is an arduous task, and it is necessary to broaden thinking and adopt multiple measures.
On the afternoon of the 23rd, Xi Jinping went to Shuangganling Forestry Bureau's Xishui National Forest Park for inspection. He walked along the boardwalk to inspect precious trees such as primeval Korean pine forests, listened to an introduction on the construction of ecological civilization in the forest region, and instructed forest farm workers to be sure to protect forest resources well. Afterwards, Xi Jinping visited forest farm workers. At Liu Yangshun's home, he inspected the housing and living conditions, discussed the history of the forest farm's development with the family, and calculated their income and expenditure. While talking with the family and their neighbors, he asked one by one what they mainly did after the logging ban in the forest region, what their sources of income were, and what difficulties remained in daily life, employment and schooling. He said that seeing the lives of forest farm workers continuously improve made him very happy and reassured. The economic transformation and development of forest regions will face some temporary difficulties, and the Party committee and government will certainly show concern and make everyone's days better and better; everyone should also rely on themselves and find more new avenues. When leaving, forest farm workers who came upon hearing the news greeted the General Secretary in unison, and Xi Jinping extended warm greetings to them.
Afterwards, Xi Jinping traveled by vehicle to Youhao Forestry Bureau's 10,000-mu blueberry industrial park, listened to an introduction on the park's planning, construction, production and operations, viewed displays of blueberries and related processed products, and went to a blueberry planting greenhouse to exchange views with technical personnel. Xi Jinping affirmed the enterprise's practices of developing the blueberry industry in light of local conditions, increasing product added value through deep processing, and absorbing forest farm workers for employment, and encouraged them to keep up the good work. He pointed out that in developing under-forest economy, attention must be paid to studying the market and highlighting diversified operations, to prevent rushing in blindly and imbalance between production and sales.
Fuyuan City, located at the easternmost end of China's land territory and facing Russia across the river, has long been known as the "Eastern Pole of China" and "China's First County in the East." On the morning of the 24th, Xi Jinping went to the city's Jiucheng Rice Planting Cooperative, inspected mechanical rice transplanting, learned about the cooperative's technical processes such as intelligent germination and box-type rapid seedling cultivation, asked farmers and technical personnel about advanced rice planting models and scientific field management experience, and happily boarded a rice transplanter to experience its operation. He pointed out that farmers' professional cooperatives are an effective form of organization for driving farming households to increase income and develop modern agriculture, and that advanced experience should be summarized and promoted to further run cooperatives well. Xi Jinping stressed that food security is an important foundation of national security, and it is necessary to innovate food production and operation models, optimize production technology measures, implement all support policies, protect farmers' enthusiasm for growing grain, and focus on improving the efficiency of grain production.
Afterwards, Xi Jinping went to Heixiazi Island and ascended the platform at the base of the East Pole Pagoda to inspect Heixiazi Island and the general appearance of the Heilongjiang and Ussuri rivers. He pointed out that Heixiazi Island should focus on ecological protection and, on the basis of protection, build some basic infrastructure and develop tourism. Xi Jinping expressed the hope that Heilongjiang would respond to the country's "Belt and Road" strategy, participate in the construction of the "China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor," and actively expand opening up.
On the afternoon of the 24th, Xi Jinping went in the rain to Bacha Village, Bacha Hezhe Ethnic Township, Tongjiang City. He first went to the village activity center, listened to an introduction on the village's construction and work, and focused on learning about the reconstruction situation after the village suffered a catastrophic flood in August 2013. Village Party branch secretary You Mingguo told the General Secretary that the catastrophic flood destroyed the whole village's homes, but with the care and help of the Party and government, the disaster was quickly overcome, every household moved into new houses, production and life made new progress, and income levels rose to new heights. Xi Jinping responded to him, saying that our Communist Party serves the people wholeheartedly and must do what it says; in the future, the Party and government will continue to care for and support everyone.
Next, Xi Jinping visited an exhibition of Hezhe ethnic customs and watched teaching of Hezhe Yimakan storytelling and singing, which is a national-level intangible cultural heritage. He praised the Hezhe ethnic group for its long history and rich culture, especially its superb fishing and hunting skills, exquisite pattern art and the very charming Yimakan storytelling and singing.
Afterwards, Xi Jinping went to visit the home of Hezhe villager You Guilan. Upon learning that the family currently has 150 mu of cultivated land and 1 fishing boat, and that through fishing, land transfers and other means their annual net income is about 80,000 yuan, Xi Jinping was very pleased. You Guilan, who is over 80 years old, took out a photo of herself from years ago when she was received in Beijing's Zhongnanhai by Chairman Mao Zedong and other Party and state leaders to show the General Secretary, and Xi Jinping praised her as an old advanced model. Xi Jinping pointed out that in the great family of the motherland, the 56 ethnic groups are close brothers. In building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, not a single ethnic group may be left behind. With all ethnic groups working together with one heart and striving diligently, the Chinese nation will certainly become more prosperous and developed, and the lives of people of all ethnic groups will certainly become more affluent and beautiful.
When leaving the village, Hezhe villagers in ethnic costume saw off the General Secretary in the rain, and Xi Jinping shook hands with them in farewell, wishing the villagers that their living standards would rise higher and higher like the red sun rising in the east.
On the morning of the 25th, Xi Jinping inspected high-tech enterprises and scientific research institutions in Harbin. At the 703rd Research Institute of China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation, Xi Jinping inspected displays of small and medium-sized gas turbine products and related technical processes, and encouraged scientific and technical personnel to set lofty ambitions, dare to undertake major projects, meticulously conquer core technologies, achieve more results in independent innovation, and continuously win glory for the country and the nation.
At Harbin Antiy Technology Co., Ltd., Xi Jinping learned on site about the research and development of anti-virus engine technology and the carrying out of real-time monitoring of cybersecurity threats, and had a cordial exchange with scientific and technical personnel on site. He pointed out that cybersecurity is an important component of national security. Safeguarding national cybersecurity requires overall design and strengthened cooperation, and it is necessary to find a good path through mutual learning, mutual discussion, joint tackling of key problems and mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.