President Hu Jintao said China must accelerate its change of economic growth patterns by promoting strategic readjustment of economic structure and technological innovation and continued reform.

 

He also called on creating a sound systematic environment and turning economic growth onto the people-oriented track featuring complete, coordinated and sustainable development.

 

Hu made the remarks during his inspection tour in Shanghai, China's financial hub, from Monday to Tuesday, where he visited the port, factories and villages.

 

Hu visited the East China Sea Bridge and the Yangshan deep sea port, the closest deep sea port to Shanghai. Hu said Shanghai must have a complete infrastructure if it is to transform itself into an international center of finance, trade and shipping.

 

He hopes that Shanghai will continue to boost basic infrastructure construction so as to lay a firm foundation for sustainable economic and social development.

 

During visits to a machinery company and a shipbuilding base, he talked with workers and directors. Hu stressed that science and technology are primary productive forces and crucial to raising a country's competitiveness.

 

Touring the rural areas, Hu said the most important element to building a new socialist countryside was the development of agriculture and the rural economy. To do so, China must rely on technological advancement and innovation.

 

Hu confirmed Shanghai's achievements in reforms and development in the urban and rural areas.

 

He said he was glad to see that many farmers had villas and high-grade apartments, and enjoyed medical and life insurance. He called on the people to take the lead in building a well-off society.

 

(Xinhua News Agency June 14, 2006)