On the afternoon of January 26, Lou Qinjian, secretary of the CPC Jiangsu Provincial Committee and chairman of  the Standing Committee of Jiangsu People's Congress, took part in a deliberation with deputies from the delegation of Xuzhou City, at the fourth session of the 13th Jiangsu People's Congress, the province’s top legislature.

Lou said the city should adhere to Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era in its development, further implement the spirit of President Xi’s speech and instruction during his inspection of Jiangsu, promote transformation to rise as a role model of regional growth, and cement its central position in the Huaihai Economic Zone.

(Photo/Xiao Yong)

Lou also said 2020 was an extraordinary year fraught with challenges but the province managed to win three tough battles - COVID-19 prevention and control, reopening and recovery, and effective response to flood and drought.

In line with the new development paradigm, Lou said, Xuzhou needs to stimulate the development vitality, give full play to the role of talent and innovation, and blaze a new trail of transformation for resource-depleted cities and regional coordination. The city also needs to align itself with national development strategies, enhance its role as a comprehensive transport hub, adopt an integrated approach in boosting industrial growth, urbanization, and modern logistics system, and accelerate the initiatives such as building itself into an international land port.  Efforts are also needed to promote rural revitalization, foster the integrated development of urban and rural areas, advance the common prosperity for everyone, and improve quality of life.