Xi addresses Central Urban Work Conference, laying out overall requirements for urban development

Chinese President Xi Jinping laid out the overall requirements for urban work at a key conference held in Beijing from Monday to Tuesday.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivered an important speech at the Central Urban Work Conference, which was also attended by members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang and Li Xi.

In his speech at the conference, Xi summarized the achievements in China's urban development since the start of the new era and analyzed the situation facing urban work.

Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, the CPC Central Committee, deeply grasping the law of urban development in China under the new circumstances, has adhered to the Party's overall leadership over urban work, upheld the principle that cities should be built by the people and for the people, and systematically planned urban development as if it is an organic life form, thus achieving historic accomplishments in urban development, it was pointed out at the meeting.

The level of new urbanization and urban development, the level of planning, construction and governance, the level of suitability for business and living, the level of protection and inheritance of historical and cultural heritage, and the quality of the ecological environment across China have all been significantly enhanced since the 18th CPC National Congress, according to the meeting.

In underlining the overall requirements for urban work at present and in a future period of time, the conference called for full implementation of the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress in 2022 and the second and third plenary sessions of the 20th CPC Central Committee respectively in 2023 and 2024, as well as of Xi's important statements about urban work.

The conference pointed out that to promote urban development, it is essential to stick to the "people's city" concept, adopt policies in line with local conditions, and strive to build modern cities for the people that are innovative, pleasant to live in, beautiful, resilient, and smart.

It highlighted the need to promote high-quality development of Chinese cities through advancing urban renewal projects.

The conference called for efforts to step up urban structural optimization, shift to new growth drivers, advance green transition, ensure the inheritance of cultural heritage, and stick to the bottom line of security.

As China's urbanization drive shifts from a period of rapid growth to one of steady development, greater importance need to be attached to the people-centered approach, intensification and efficiency, characteristic development, governance investment, and overall planning and coordination.

Premier Li Qiang delivered a concluding speech at the meeting, in which he made specific arrangements for implementing the spirit of Xi's speech and for further improving urban work.

Xi addresses Central Urban Work Conference, laying out overall requirements for urban development

Xi addresses Central Urban Work Conference, laying out overall requirements for urban development

Xi addresses Central Urban Work Conference, laying out overall requirements for urban development

Xi addresses Central Urban Work Conference, laying out overall requirements for urban development

Xi addresses Central Urban Work Conference, laying out overall requirements for urban development

Xi addresses Central Urban Work Conference, laying out overall requirements for urban development

President of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Lee Jae Myung has expressed his hope that his upcoming visit to China will help eliminate past misunderstandings and issues, underscoring the importance of ties between the two countries.

At the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Lee will pay a state visit to China from Jan 4 to 7. It will be Lee's first visit to China since he took office.

In an interview with China Media Group (CMG) in Seoul on Wednesday, Lee acknowledged the existing misunderstandings and issues between the two countries, noting that addressing these issues is a key goal of his visit.

"The current international landscape is turbulent, with escalating issues among various countries. In this context, the relationship between the Republic of Korea and China holds significant importance for us. the ROK and China are deeply interconnected in many areas, including history, economy, geopolitics, politics and security. Northeast Asia's peace, stability, mutual respect, and common prosperity are crucial for both countries," said Lee.

"Admittedly, there have been some misunderstandings and issues between the ROK and China, which have hindered the development of bilateral relations to some extent. Therefore, the purpose of my upcoming visit to China is to minimize or eliminate these past issues, foster a leap in our bilateral relations to a new level, and solidify the ROK and China as partners that mutually support each other's development," he said.

ROK President hopes to reduce misunderstandings with China during upcoming visit