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1st LD: Xi urges reform to revive rust belt in NE China

Xinhua, March 9, 2015 Adjust font size:

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday called for new engines to revitalize northeast China's old industrial base amid the "new normal" of economic development.

The region should foster clusters of emerging industries by means of innovation-driven development as well as optimization and upgrading of industrial structure, he told lawmakers from northeast China's Jilin Province in a panel discussion during the annual session of the National People's Congress (NPC).

He urged deeper reform to break institutional bottleneck and release great vitality of the country's traditional manufacturing base, which has seen slow economic growth these years.

Agricultural modernization should be advanced and realized first in some regions, he said, emphasizing modern systems concerning industrial management, production and businesses.

He also called for concrete efforts in improving welfare of the people so that the public could feel the changes and enjoy benefits.

Xi warned against pollution of "political ecology," urging officials to stick to discipline amid efforts to promote development.

"Political ecology is like natural ecology. It is easily vulnerable to pollution in an unguarded moment," he said. "Once problems arise, great price must be paid to recover." Endi