Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, urged the development of real economy bolstered by manufacturing, with self-reliance as the basis of all endeavors during his tour to central China's Henan Province.

Xi also pointed out that although China has the largest manufacturing industry in the world, efforts are still needed in realizing industrial transformation and upgrade through innovation. He called for technical and industrial innovation to move China's manufacturing up in the industry chain.