Chinese leader Hu Jintao called on the people of Shanghai to go on working hard to turn the city into a modern metropolitan and take the lead in accomplishing modernization and in the course of building socialism with Chinese characteristics during his inspection tour of the city from July 26 to 29.

In his talks with local officials, Hu, the president and general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, disclosed that this is his first Shanghai visit since 2000. Hu also visited Shanghai in 1994 and 1997.

The top Chinese leader braved high temperatures to tour the municipality, in the company of Wang Gang, an alternate member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee.

Chen Liangyu, secretary of the CPC municipal committee, and Mayor Han Zheng accompanied Hu during his stay in the city.

Over the past four days, the president visited a number of industrial facilities, including a power netting company, a shipyard, a large turbo manufacturer, and a laboratory. Hu also visited a 72-year-older, who had been assigned to work in Tibet for two decades from 1960 to 1980, and a village to chat with local folks on topics such as social security, democracy and tourism.

Hu even stopped in a bustling street to chat with traffic police working in the baking sunshine. He asked them to do their job well while taking care of their own health.

Thursday, the last of his visit, Hu heard reports on the work of the city Party committee and government made by Chen.

Afterwards, Hu made an important speech. He fully affirmed the achievements Shanghai has made in reforms and development and he expressed his hope that the people of Shanghai will make continued efforts to build the city into an international economic, financial, trade and navigational center as well as a modernized international metropolis.

"Every time I visited the city, I could feel Shanghai's changes and its achievements in reform, opening and modernization," he acknowledged.

Hu attributed Shanghai's achievements to the municipal Party committee and city government for their adherence to Deng Xiaoping Theory and the important thought of "Three Represents," firm implementation of the decisions and arrangement of the central authorities, and leading local officials and people to unite, strive, explore, progress and make substantial efforts.

Hu's speech won enthusiastic applause from the audience who thanked the top leader for his care and attention for Shanghai. Chen said, "Comrade Hu Jintao's inspection tour of Shanghai will be a strong push for us to accomplish various work in Shanghai in a more substantial manner."

(Xinhua News Agency July 30, 2004)