Xi stresses importance of real economies and manufacturing

President Xi Jinping called on Thursday for the building of strong real economies and maintaining the strategic choice of developing manufacturing.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks while inspecting an aluminium company in South China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.

A country must make strategic choices, and China's is boosting manufacturing, Xi told workers at Alnan Aluminium Inc.

Xi previously visited the company in May 2010, when he was vice-president of China. Noting that the company's products have been upgraded to aerospace, rail and shipping, Xi congratulated the workers.

As a big power, China must build strong economies, Xi said, adding that manufacturing is an important part of such economies.

The president highlighted innovation-driven development to achieve the transfer from the old engine of growth to the new engine of creativity. He also stressed combining knowledge and expertise.

Xi said that State-owned enterprises are an important force for China's development, and the role of SOEs can only be strengthened.

He also urged SOEs to be strong, improve self-reform, keep up with the times, and address their weakness through reform. The SOEs should also pay attention to the work of the Party's build-up, he added.