Jia Qinglin (L), chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, visits the China Achievements Expo for Self-innovated Auto Technology and Products in Beijing, capital of China, July 15, 2010. [Xie Huanchi/Xinhua]

A senior Chinese Leader Thursday urged the Chinese automobile industry to enhance indigenous technology while visiting an auto technology show in Beijing.

At the show of home-made and home-designed vehicles, the first of it's kind, Jia Qinglin urged the auto industry to invest more in research and development to make breakthroughs in the manufacture of cars of indigenous brands.

Jia, who is a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said enhancing independent innovation capacity should be a main element in various undertakings of auto enterprises.

The auto show displays over 140 cars manufactured by 16 domestic companies.