Chinese President Hu Jintao (2nd R) talks with a worker during his visit to Daqing Oilfield in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Chinese President Hu Jintao has called for more confidence in the country's stable economic growth and gaining more strength to better people's livelihood.

He made the calls during an inspection tour in northeastern China's Heilongjiang Province from June 26 to 28, one of the country's old industrial bases and important granaries.

Hu encouraged people in Heilongjiang to seize the opportunity as China moved to revitalize its old industrial bases, to overcome the difficulties and maintain a steady economic growth and ensure people's livelihood.

During his three-day inspection tour, Hu visited Harbin Measuring and Cutting Tool Group and Harbin Aircraft Industry Group, two of the province's major industrial enterprises, and pointed out that independent innovations are key to high competitiveness and further development.

"Crisis creates opportunities, and we shall put more efforts in technological upgrading, and build up technology reserves for the future," he said.

Hu also visited rural areas and inspected crop growth. He encouraged farmers to increase grain production and boost agricultural modernization, so as to ensure the country's grain security.

More supportive policies for farmers are on the way, he said, hoping that farmers could increase their incomes with improved policies and technologies.

Hu also visited an oil field, a military camp, a school for intellectually challenged children, a human resources market, and a residential community which houses people who formerly lived in shanties.

(Xinhua News Agency June 29, 2009)