Chinese President Hu Jintao said China must accelerate the changes of economic growth pattern by promoting strategic readjustment of economic structure and technological innovation and continuing to cling to reforms.

He also called on creating a sound systematic environment and turning economic growth onto the people-oriented track featuring complete, coordinated and sustainable development.

Hu made the remarks during his inspection tour in Shanghai, China's financial hub, from Monday to Tuesday, where he visited port, factories and villages.

Hu visited the East China Sea Bridge and the Yangshan Deep Sea Port, the closest deep sea port to Shanghai. Hu said Shanghai must have a complete infrastructure to build itself into an international center of finance, trade and shipping.

He hopes Shanghai will continue boosting the construction of basic infrastructure system to lay a firm foundation for sustainable economic and social development.

In visiting a machinery company and a shipbuilding base, he talked with workers and directors from the factories. Hu stressed that science and technology are primary productive forces and crucial to raising a country's competitive ability.

During his tour to the rural areas, Hu said the most important factor of building new socialist countryside is to develop agriculture and rural economy. To do so, China must rely on technological advancement and innovation.

Hu confirmed Shanghai's achievements in reforms and development in the urban and rural areas.

He said he was glad to see that many farmers have villas and high-grade apartments, and enjoy medical and life insurance. He called on the people to take lead in building well-off society.

(Xinhua News Agency June 14, 2006)