Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has urged Shanghai to play a leading
role in supporting the country's new development strategies,
including the western development strategy, and reinvigorating the
old industrial bases in northeast China.
In doing this, Shanghai municipality should accelerate moves to
become an international economic, banking, trade and shipping
center, Wen said during an inspection tour from Aug. 29 to 31.
He expressed his satisfaction with Shanghai's rapid progress in
economic and social development and affirmed support for Pudong New
District at a symposium on Friday evening.?
Shanghai metropolis and other neighboring eastern developed
regions should accelerate economic development so as to provide
more technical and financial support to poorer western regions and
traditional industrial bases in northeastern China, Wen said.
Meanwhile, he noted, Shanghai should play a leading role in
implementing the reform and opening policies and stepping up
modernization.
He also suggested Shanghai upgrade its industrial structure,
seize development opportunities to open wider, promote sustainable
social and economic development and encourage more Chinese students
studying abroad to return and start businesses in Shanghai and
develop their talent to the full.
During his inspection tour of Shanghai, Premier Wen visited the
Songjiang New Urban District, Pudong New District, Shanghai GM
Company Ltd., Shanghai Huahong-NEC Electronics Co. Ltd, and
Shanghai Baogang Steel Group Company.
He also visited the memorial hall in honor of the First National
Congress of the Communist Party of China and had talks with
industrial workers, university students and local residents.
(Xinhua News Agency September 1, 2003)