Jia Qinglin (R, front), a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and also chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, visits a company of the China First Heavy Industries (CFHI) in Dalian City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, July 2, 2011. Jia Qinglin made an inspection tour in Dalian from July 1 to 2. [Ju Peng/Xinhua]

A senior official has called for more efforts to boost the country's equipment manufacturing sector and rejuvenate disused industrial facilities in northeast China.

Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the country's top political advisory body, made the remarks during an inspection tour of the city of Dalian in northeast China's Liaoning Province.

Jia inspected several equipment manufacturing factories and encouraged them to make more efforts in research and development.

"We must boost the development of the equipment manufacturing industry and strive to make new breakthroughs in key technologies in order to rejuvenate the nation's old industrial bases and build an innovative country," he said.

More efforts should be made to hasten the development of the high-end manufacturing sector and strengthen the role of innovation in driving growth, Jia said.

He also called for efforts to expand recruitment and encouraged companies to acquire overseas enterprises and research institutions.

During his inspection, Jia visited a local hydrogenation reactor production company and encouraged it to implement environmentally friendly manufacturing techniques and produce energy-conserving products.