Chinese premier, on tour of rust belt, hammers home 3 themes: self-reliance, security and SOEs
- Li Qiang, China’s premier, has emphasised domestic innovation and the importance of state enterprises on his tour of the industrial northeast
- Choices of stops, comments indicate sharp focus on autonomous development, advanced manufacturing
To aid in China’s efforts to overcome constraints on its economic development and advance up the global value chain, Premier Li Qiang has called on companies in the country’s northeastern rust belt to play an active role.
On a three-day tour to Heilongjiang and Jilin provinces, which started Tuesday and was reported on by state outlet Xinhua, Li made reference to three recurring themes in his comments: innovation, smart production, and a stronger role for state-owned enterprises (SOEs).
“Amid profound changes domestically and internationally, SOEs need to undertake a supportive role driving scientific and technological innovation, ensuring industrial control and security,” Li said during his visit, which spanned 10 sites across the two provinces.
Beijing is made it a priority to convert its once-powerful cluster of state-owned enterprises, shifting centres of heavy industry to advanced manufacturing. This would supercharge the weak local economy while making progress towards technological autonomy, accomplishing two major goals at once.
In this vein, Li visited Harbin Aircraft Industry Group in Heilongjiang’s capital – one of the first aircraft companies established in China and a pioneer in the country’s development of helicopters.
“We hope the company will focus on breakthroughs in crucial core technologies to become a world-class helicopter company,” the premier said.
Li also paid a visit to China’s first automotive manufacturer, China FAW Group Corporation, where he examined new-energy vehicles and expressed wishes for the colossal carmaker to drive the country’s auto industry through independent research.
