Chinese Premier Li Qiang has called on the southern province of Guangdong to spearhead the nation's push for high-quality development and innovation, emphasizing its critical role in driving economic momentum as China embarks on its 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) period. During a three-day inspection tour from Saturday to Monday, which included visits to the tech hub of Shenzhen and the manufacturing center of Foshan, Li, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, stressed the need to seize every moment to achieve a strong start to the new five-year period.
In Shenzhen, a city synonymous with China's economic miracle, Li visited the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone, where he was briefed on advancements in artificial intelligence, new materials, and biomedicine. At the headquarters of electric vehicle giant BYD, Li inspected the company's latest new energy vehicles. He underscored the primary role of enterprises in innovation, calling for enhanced policy, funding, and talent support to help companies achieve breakthroughs in key technologies.
The premier also visited a heliport and the Robot Valley in Shenzhen to learn about the development of low-altitude economy. He urged companies to accelerate the development and application of new products like robots and drones by exploring effective business models and expanding usage scenarios.
While crossing the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link, a massive bridge and tunnel project, Li emphasized that advanced infrastructure is crucial for promoting regional synergy and coordinated development.
In Foshan, Li toured a Midea home appliance factory, where he highlighted the importance of aligning production with evolving consumer demands. He called for a virtuous cycle where demand drives supply and supply creates new demand, encouraging companies to develop high-quality products that cater to rising living standards.
At the Foshan International Land Port, Li gained a detailed understanding of the development and operation of cross-border e-commerce and bonded logistics. He stressed the need to unswervingly expand high-level opening-up, better integrate the "hard connectivity" of infrastructure with the "soft connectivity" of rules and standards, expand digital and green trade, actively increase imports, and promote balanced development of imports and exports.
At a symposium with tech executives and Shenzhen officials during the inspection, Li urged businesses to seize opportunities and innovate with determination. He also called on government departments to deepen reforms in key areas, improve services, optimize business environment, and continuously stimulate the internal driving forces of economic development.
Premier Li urges Guangdong to lead in innovation, reform
