BEIJING - Chinese President Hu Jintao has urged to boost China's overall national power through continuous scientific innovation.

Hu made the remarks during an inspection tour in east China's Jiangsu Province from December 26 to 29.

Scientific innovation is a strategic support for enhancing social productivity and the overall national strength, said Hu while visiting Jiangsu's enterprises and industrial parks.

It's a must to improve independent innovation and grasp key technologies in order to transform the economic growth mode and accomplish the goals for national development, Hu said.

He urged the officials and people in Jiangsu to insist on the path of scientific development under the leadership of CPC general secretary Xi Jinping, and take the lead to realize modernization and build into a well-off society in an all-round way.

While visiting the Huaxi village, one of the most wealthy villages in China, Hu said the village set an example of the socialist modernization in China's rural areas.

He encouraged heads of Huaxi to adhere to the spirits of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), and continue to innovate their development ideas so to contribute more experience to promoting the common prosperity of the urban and rural areas.

Hu also visited a middle school in Taizhou city, where he planted a gingko, the "botanic giant panda."

Hu told students in the school to learn more knowledge and virtues and exert their capabilities in China's future development.