Governments at all levels should make further progress in China's ongoing reform and modernization drive, said Chinese Vice President Hu Jintao during an inspection tour of northeast China's Liaoning Province.
Hu toured the cities of Dalian, Yingkou, Anshan and Shenyang, accompanied by local officials, from June 10 to 17.
The vice president said that State-owned enterprises were the backbone of China's national economy and played a crucial role in economic development. He called for further reforms in key state-owned enterprises based in Liaoning, an old industrial base.
Hu also inspected local private and foreign-funded enterprises and called for more government efforts in facilitating their operations in a bid to provide more job opportunities and promote economic development.
Governments at all levels should strive to develop community services, help laid-off workers to find new jobs and improve social security, he said.
The vice president also urged local authorities to do a good job in promoting economic growth, maintaining social stability and strengthening Party building.
(People's Daily June 18, 2002)