Chinese leader: Use crisis as driving force for economic restructuring

Special Report:Global Financial Crisis

SHANGHAI, Dec. 21 (Chinese media) -- A

senior Chinese leader has urged Shanghai, the country's major economic hub, to

use the global financial crisis as a driving force to pursue economic

restructuring.

Jia Qinglin (C), chairman of the

National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative

Conference and member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of

China (CPC) Central Committee Political Bureau, visits Shanghai Electric

Nuclear Power Equipment Co. Ltd., in Shanghai, east China, on Dec. 20,

2008. Jia Qinglin paid a visit to Shanghai from Dec. 19 to Dec. 21.

(Chinese media Photo)
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Shanghai should focus on developing equipment

manufacturing, modern logistics, financial services, electronic commerce,

culture innovations and capsulation, said Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National

Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC),

during his trip to Shanghai from Dec. 19-21 .

Shanghai should try to establish a new advantage in

competition and make use of its advantage of having a strong power in science

and technology, said Jia.

The city should center its economic growth on

increasing domestic demands while trying every means to maintain a stable growth

in export, the CPPCC leader said.

During his stay in the city, Jia visited an

exhibition on the 2010 Shanghai World Expo and studied the construction of the

expo zone, with company of Shanghai Party Chief Yu Zhengsheng and Shanghai Mayor

Han Zheng. He urged the city to do a good job in preparations for the world

expo.

Jia Qinglin (R), chairman of the

National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative

Conference and member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of

China (CPC) Central Committee Political Bureau, talks to an employee at

SAIC Motor Passenger Vehicle Company on in Shanghai, China, on Dec. 20,

2008. Jia Qinglin paid a visit to Shanghai from Dec. 19 to Dec. 21.

(Chinese media Photo)
Photo Gallery

He also visited several industrial development zones

and research institutions, to see how local companies are operating with the

impacts of the global financial crisis.

In talks with local officials, Jia attached priority

to finding out ways to help the country's economy develop in a stable and

relatively fast way, under the current complicated international and domestic

situation.

"We must unify our thinking and action to the

analysis and judgment of the Central Authorities as well as the arrangements

made by the Central Authorities," said Jia, who is also a member of the Standing

Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Political

Bureau.

Jia talked with company employees and ordinary

citizens, inquiring into their life and listening to their complaints and

demands. He called for a pro-active employment policy.

During his visit, the top political advisor visited

leading officials of the Municipal Committee of the CPPCC, the Municipal United

Front Department, and local branches of non-communist parties and the Municipal

Federation of Industry and Commerce.

He urged them to play roles as "think tank" for the

government and a channel to convey people's concern to the government.