Xi Jinping Charts Course for Guangdong’s Future: Innovation, Bay Area Development, and Party Governance
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Guangdong province is poised for a new era of development, guided by the principles outlined during a recent inspection by Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, President of the State, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission. The visit, spanning November 7th and 8th, underscored the province’s critical role as a vanguard of reform and opening up, with a strong emphasis on implementing the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee.
Xi Jinping’s visit to Guangdong signals a renewed commitment to the province’s continued economic and social progress, particularly in the context of national strategies for modernization and regional integration. The inspection focused on bolstering innovation, deepening reform, and strengthening the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).
Honoring the Past, Shaping the Future
The trip began with a visit to the Ye Jianying Memorial Hall in Meixian District, Meizhou City, where Xi Jinping paid tribute to the legacy of the revolutionary leader. Presenting a flower basket to Ye Jianying’s bronze statue, Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of learning from past generations. “The great achievements we have achieved today are based on the legacy and wealth built by Mao Zedong and other older generation revolutionaries,” he stated, urging the integration of party history education to instill a “red gene” in cadres and the public, particularly young people.
Rural Revitalization and Agricultural Innovation
Moving beyond historical reflection, Xi Jinping’s inspection included a visit to the Nanfu Golden Pomelo Planting Base in Yanyang Town, Meizhou City. This stop highlighted the importance of rural revitalization and the development of distinctive local industries. Observing a successful harvest, he pointed to the need to strengthen the application of science and technology, integrate agriculture with culture and tourism, and extend the industrial chain to increase farmer incomes. He expressed optimism about the golden pomelo harvest, noting that the development of rural characteristic industries is “the basis for promoting comprehensive rural revitalization.” He also urged continued policy support for old revolutionary areas, wishing villagers lives “as sweet and beautiful as a golden pomelo.”
Guangdong’s Role in National Development
On November 8th, in Guangzhou, Xi Jinping inspected displays showcasing Guangdong’s advancements in scientific and technological innovation and industrial integration. Following this, he convened with the Guangdong Provincial Party Committee and Government, affirming the province’s achievements and outlining future objectives. He stressed that Guangdong, as a major economic province, must formulate its “15th Five-Year Plan” with a “high position and a big picture,” reflecting its responsibility to lead the nation in development.
Xi Jinping underscored the paramount importance of studying, publicizing, and implementing the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee, calling it a “major political task” for the entire party and country. He emphasized the need to guide cadres and the masses to align their actions with the Party Central Committee’s decisions, fostering consensus, confidence, and motivation.
Deepening Reform and Opening Up
To enhance its innovative edge, Guangdong must vigorously promote the spirit of reform and opening up, Xi Jinping asserted. He advocated for a combination of “effective markets and effective governments,” promoting complementary advantages across various ownership economies. A key focus should be on developing new productive forces and strengthening the integration of technological and industrial innovation to build a globally competitive modern industrial system. He also called for improved systems for coordinated regional development, integrated urban-rural development, and the advancement of common prosperity.
Furthermore, Xi Jinping emphasized the need to steadily expand institutional opening up, deeply implement the free trade pilot zone promotion strategy, and integrate further into the Belt and Road initiative. He encouraged Guangdong to not only upgrade its own industries but also drive development in central and western regions.
The Greater Bay Area: A Strategic Priority
Building the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area was identified as both a major responsibility and a significant opportunity for Guangdong. Xi Jinping urged a focus on building a dynamic, internationally competitive first-class bay area and world-class city cluster through deepened cooperation between the three regions. This includes strengthening collaboration in scientific and technological innovation, infrastructure connectivity, and the harmonization of rules and mechanisms. He emphasized the importance of improving market integration and creating a high-quality living circle, supporting Hong Kong and Macao’s integration into the national development landscape. Guangdong, he stated, must act as the “main force and locomotive” in this endeavor.
Strengthening Party Leadership and Governance
Underpinning all these objectives, Xi Jinping stressed the critical importance of strengthening the Party’s leadership and promoting comprehensive and strict party governance. He emphasized the need to select and cultivate a high-quality leadership team with strong party spirit, vision, innovation, and dedication. He called for the implementation of a correct style, the elimination of corruption, and the creation of a clean political environment.
Concluding his inspection, Xi Jinping urged a focus on stabilizing employment, enterprises, the market, and expectations in the final month of the year, ensuring the completion of annual goals and tasks.
Cai Qi, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, accompanied the inspection, along with He Lifeng and other officials from central and state agencies.
