Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping (C) meets with workers during his visit to Anshan Iron and Steel Group in northeast China's Liaoning Province, July 7, 2009. Xi Jinping made an inspection tour in Liaoning on July 6-8. (Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng)

     China's northeast regions should take advantage of the establishment of a new coastal economic belt to realize fast economic development, said China's Vice President Xi Jinping on Wednesday.

    Xi made the remarks during an inspection tour of the region, saying the northeast coastal economic zone was of strategic importance to rejuvenating the traditional industrial base in northeast China.

    At the Dalian High-Tech Industrial Park, Xi said that companies and enterprises were the major driving force for innovation. Enterprises should try to introduce, learn and assimilate new technologies to ensure a sustainable development.

    He called for implementing the government policies in boosting agricultural development. Local governments should work hard to improve farmers' living standard, increase their income, and develop modern agriculture, he said.

    Governments at all levels should create more job opportunities for college graduates and rural migrant workers, and encourage people to set up their own firms, he added.

    China's State Council, the Cabinet, approved plans on July 1 to develop the coastal economic belt in the northeastern Liaoning Province.

    The economic belt, covering about 700 square km, will focus on shipbuilding, petroleum refining, advanced equipment manufacturing, raw materials, high-tech industries and agriculture processing.

Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping (R4) talks with residents at Guotun Village of Xiongyue Town in Yingkou City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, July 7, 2009. Xi Jinping made an inspection tour in Liaoning on July 6-8. (Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng)