Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Shanghai after attending the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia, and urged the city to push forward reform, pursue scientific development and improve its competitiveness.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (2nd L) talks with workers at Waigaoqiao comprehensive service hall of the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone (FTZ) during his inspection in Shanghai, east China, May 23, 2014. Xi Jinping made an inspection tour to Shanghai from Friday to Saturday. [Xinhua]

On Friday, during a visit to Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone, Xi said that the decision to build the zone was an important step in China's modern reform and opening up. Since it was established last September, more than 16,000 enterprises with 280,000 employees have entered the zone.

Xi later went to the design and research center of China's state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corporation, which designed China's largest home made passenger aircraft C919. During a two-day inspection, Xi also visited the Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation and a medical science company.

Xi said that he expects more independent intellectual property rights and innovation in Chinese enterprises. He also encouraged Shanghai to continue enhancing regional cooperation and integration and achieving fast economic growth.