Chinese leader Hu Jintao called on the people of Shanghai to go
on working hard to turn the city into a modern metropolitan and
take the lead in accomplishing modernization and in the course of
building socialism with Chinese characteristics during his
inspection tour of the city from July 26 to 29.
In his talks with local officials, Hu, the president and general
secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee,
disclosed that this is his first Shanghai visit since 2000. Hu also
visited Shanghai in 1994 and 1997.
The top Chinese leader braved high temperatures to tour the
municipality, in the company of Wang Gang, an alternate member of
the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and a member of
the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee.
Chen Liangyu, secretary of the CPC municipal committee, and
Mayor Han Zheng accompanied Hu during his stay in the city.
Over the past four days, the president visited a number of
industrial facilities, including a power netting company, a
shipyard, a large turbo manufacturer, and a laboratory. Hu also
visited a 72-year-older, who had been assigned to work in Tibet for
two decades from 1960 to 1980, and a village to chat with local
folks on topics such as social security, democracy and tourism.
Hu even stopped in a bustling street to chat with traffic police
working in the baking sunshine. He asked them to do their job well
while taking care of their own health.
Thursday, the last of his visit, Hu heard reports on the work of
the city Party committee and government made by Chen.
Afterwards, Hu made an important speech. He fully affirmed the
achievements Shanghai has made in reforms and development and he
expressed his hope that the people of Shanghai will make continued
efforts to build the city into an international economic,
financial, trade and navigational center as well as a modernized
international metropolis.
"Every time I visited the city, I could feel Shanghai's changes
and its achievements in reform, opening and modernization," he
acknowledged.
Hu attributed Shanghai's achievements to the municipal Party
committee and city government for their adherence to Deng Xiaoping
Theory and the important thought of "Three Represents," firm
implementation of the decisions and arrangement of the central
authorities, and leading local officials and people to unite,
strive, explore, progress and make substantial efforts.
Hu's speech won enthusiastic applause from the audience who
thanked the top leader for his care and attention for Shanghai.
Chen said, "Comrade Hu Jintao's inspection tour of Shanghai will be
a strong push for us to accomplish various work in Shanghai in a
more substantial manner."
(Xinhua News Agency July 30, 2004)
