Xi Jinping: Unleash Thinking, Pursue Reform and Innovation, Strive Vigorously, and Work Diligently to Usher in a New Phase of Yunnan’s Development in the Process of Chinese Modernization

Recently, while conducting an inspection tour in Yunnan, Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, President of the People’s Republic of China, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, emphasized that Yunnan must earnestly implement the Party Central Committee’s strategic plans for the Great Western Development and the development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt; fully, accurately, and comprehensively apply the new development philosophy; adhere to the general principle of seeking progress while maintaining stability; focus on promoting high-quality development; liberate thinking, deepen reform and innovation; strive with vigor and pragmatism; and, in the course of Chinese modernization, open up a new chapter in Yunnan’s development.

From March 19 to 20, Xi Jinping conducted inspection and research visits to Lijiang, Kunming, and other locations in Yunnan Province, accompanied by Wang Ning, Secretary of the Yunnan Provincial Party Committee, and Wang Yubo, Governor of the province.

On the afternoon of the 19th, Xi Jinping visited the Lijiang Modern Flower Industry Park. In the exhibition hall, he examined displays of cut rose and calla lily varieties and listened to a briefing on the development of Yunnan’s flower industry. At the rose cultivation area, he learned about soilless cultivation technology in smart greenhouses and engaged in cordial conversations with local villagers and technical personnel. He then toured the rose grading and packaging production line, observing the entire process from sorting and grading to packaging and shipment, and commended the timely export of cut flowers through logistics. Xi Jinping pointed out that Yunnan’s flower industry has broad prospects and that efforts should be focused on the entire industrial chain—deepening and refining work at every stage, from seed development and cultivation to market access—so that this “beautiful industry” can become a “happy industry” that brings benefits to the people.

Lijiang Old Town, with a history of more than 800 years, has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Following a spring snowfall, the town is bustling with visitors. Xi Jinping visited the site to gain an in-depth understanding of the town’s architectural and historical development, the distinctive features of Naxi traditional dwellings, and the local efforts to protect and make effective use of its cultural heritage while promoting the integrated development of culture and tourism. Residents and tourists were overjoyed to see the General Secretary, eagerly greeting him; some even played musical instruments and sang and danced to welcome him. Xi Jinping engaged in frequent interactions with the crowd, learning about the operations of local shops and the experiences of visitors. He urged local authorities to strike a balance between preservation and development, so that this beautiful ancient town can shine with renewed vitality.

The Mu Clan Tusi Government Office in the ancient city stands as a living testament to the history of interaction, exchange, and integration among the ethnic groups of Southwest China. Xi Jinping inspected the main buildings of the Mu Mansion and viewed an exhibition showcasing research achievements in Naxi Dongba culture. He emphasized the need to effectively protect and make good use of important cultural landmarks such as the Mu Mansion, to safeguard and carry forward China’s fine traditional culture, to guide people of all ethnic groups in consciously strengthening their sense of community of the Chinese nation, and to continuously advance the building of the Chinese national community.

As he departed, numerous residents and tourists gathered to bid the General Secretary farewell. Xi Jinping encouraged them, saying that Lijiang boasts stunning natural scenery, a distinctive cultural heritage, and widespread renown, and is therefore well positioned to forge a path of sustainable and healthy development in the cultural and tourism sectors. He expressed his hope that the lives of the people of Lijiang would be as harmonious and prosperous as the Naxi surname “He,” marked by happiness, health, and enduring harmony.

On the morning of the 20th, Xi Jinping listened to a work report from the Yunnan Provincial Party Committee and the Yunnan Provincial Government, commended the achievements Yunnan has made in various fields, and set forth requirements for the next phase of work.

Xi Jinping pointed out that promoting industrial transformation and upgrading is a key priority for high-quality development. Given the varying endowments of resources and foundational conditions across different regions, efforts to achieve industrial transformation and upgrading must be grounded in reality, adhere to economic principles, and highlight each region’s unique strengths. Yunnan should take scientific and technological innovation as the driving force to strengthen, optimize, and expand its resource-based industries, while actively developing strategic emerging industries and industries of the future. It should accelerate the development of plateau-specific agriculture and the cultural and tourism industries, thereby enhancing the value added of industries, improving enterprise efficiency, and increasing the incomes of the general public. Furthermore, Yunnan should proactively explore mechanisms for sharing benefits and systematically take on the phased transfer of industries.

Xi Jinping emphasized that Yunnan enjoys a unique geographical location and should vigorously advance high-standard opening-up and build itself into a hub for radiating influence toward South Asia and Southeast Asia. It is essential to develop the free trade pilot zone to high standards, strengthen the development of major transport and logistics corridors as well as energy and digital-information networks, and ensure that various platforms for opening-up become new drivers of economic growth. Furthermore, Yunnan should expand exchanges and cooperation with neighboring countries in such areas as economy, science and technology, talent, healthcare, and culture, so that the high-quality joint pursuit of the Belt and Road Initiative becomes tangible and accessible to all.

Xi Jinping pointed out that Yunnan occupies an important ecological position and must unswervingly follow the path of ecological priority and green development, thereby solidifying the country’s ecological security barrier in the southwest. It is necessary to improve the nature reserve system with national parks as the mainstay, strengthen ecosystem protection and restoration, and continuously carry out comprehensive management of rocky desertification, soil erosion, and small watersheds. Furthermore, we must better align land-use control with ecological and environmental zoning management, and make solid progress in pollution prevention and control in key areas as well as in the environmental remediation of key lakes.

Xi Jinping emphasized that Yunnan is home to a large number of ethnic groups and that it is essential to strengthen governance in border ethnic areas, broaden the practical pathways for the all-round integration of all ethnic groups, deepen the implementation of the initiative to develop border areas and enrich the people in the new era, and effectively safeguard ethnic unity and border stability.

Xi Jinping pointed out that the leadership of the Party is the fundamental guarantee for the development of any cause. When assessing the level of Party leadership and Party building in a given locality, an important criterion is the health of its political environment. Leading cadres at all levels must earnestly fulfill their responsibilities for managing and governing the Party, maintain upright conduct and impartiality in handling affairs, and set an exemplary standard through their own actions to continuously purify the political environment. Party organizations at all levels should strengthen education and management of Party members and cadres, rigorously investigate and punish all violations of rules and discipline, and ensure that unhealthy trends and corrupt practices have no foothold. The CPC Central Committee has already made arrangements for conducting in-depth study and education across the Party on thoroughly implementing the spirit of the CPC Central Committee’s Eight-Point Decision on Improving Conduct. Party organizations at all levels, as well as the broad ranks of Party members and cadres, must consciously enhance their sense of responsibility and urgency in this endeavor, linking it to the overall situation and tasks of exercising full and rigorous self-governance, and to the specific practices their respective localities, departments, and units have adopted over the years in strengthening conduct. They should further gain a thorough understanding of the spirit of the CPC Central Committee’s Eight-Point Decision and its detailed implementation rules, master the relevant disciplinary provisions and regulations, and thereby lay a solid ideological and political foundation for identifying problems and carrying out targeted rectification. It is essential to integrate efforts to promote sound conduct, enforce strict discipline, and combat corruption, so as to guide the broad ranks of Party members and cadres to consciously abide by rules and discipline and to boldly engage in work and entrepreneurship.

Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, accompanied the inspection.

He Lifeng and leading officials from relevant departments of the CPC Central Committee and State Council accompanied the inspection.