President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, speaks at a symposium on promoting the development of the Yangtze River economic belt in Wuhan, capital of Central China's Hubei Province, April 26, 2018. [Photo/Xinhua] 

China's pursuit of technological innovation on its own was made a key point of President Xi Jinping's survey tour of Wuhan in Central China's Hubei province, and he encouraged researchers and developers to "break away from illusion" and fight on their own.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the call on Thursday morning while visiting leading technological enterprises. He also toured and researched areas along the Yangtze River from Tuesday to Wednesday, Xinhua News Agency reported.

Wuhan, with the river running through its downtown area, hosts a number of leading universities, State-level science labs and technological research centers.

The two companies that Xi visited are in Wuhan's Donghu High-Tech Development Zone, known as the "Optical Valley of China".

President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, speaks at a symposium on promoting the development of the Yangtze River economic belt in Wuhan, capital of Central China's Hubei Province, April 26, 2018. [Photo/Xinhua] 

During the tour, he stressed that core technologies that are important to the country should always be fully mastered by the country itself.

When visiting FiberHome Telecommunication Technologies Co, a pioneer in the optical communications sector, Xi said the industry is of great importance.

As the country strives for a major global role in cyberspace, it is hoped that the company will gear up its efforts and gain more high ground in the industry, he said.

China has proved strong in being able to accomplish a major task through concerted and concentrated efforts, and by doing so the country can achieve more breakthroughs in science and technology, Xi said.

President Xi Jinping inspects the Chenglingji Hydrological Station, a major flood monitoring spot of the Yangtze River, for the ecological environment protection and economic development along China's longest river, in Yueyang City of Central China's Hunan Province, April 25, 2018. [Photo/Xinhua] 

In a tour of Wuhan Xinxin Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp, he got a close look at the production line of integrated circuits and learned about the intelligence-driven production of chips.

China is facing unprecedented opportunities and challenges alike, and people working in key posts and for crucial industries should have a strong sense of duty, Xi said.

The city has a huge potential for future growth, since it has a large number of universities, and the lineup of talent there should be reinforced, since brainpower will play a decisive role in development, Xi said.

Also on Thursday, he visited people in a residential area that came about in 2015 after shanty houses there were renovated.

President Xi Jinping inspects the Hualong Wharf on the Yangtze River for the ecological environment protection and economic development along China's longest river, in Yueyang City, Central China's Hunan Province, April 25, 2018. [Photo/Xinhua] 

Xi reviewed the renovation work as he toured an exhibition displaying how the high-rise buildings replaced shabby homes.

He also endorsed the local Party organization's work in serving the public. As the country seeks to boost grassroots-level governance and better serve the public, the key is to boost the leading role of community-level Party organizations, Xi said.

The aim is to fully meet the public's needs in such areas as nurseries, education, health and senior care, he added. (China Daily)