Chinese President Xi Jinping (R), also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, shakes hands with staff members as he visits an electronics manufacturing firm in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Feb. 11, 2018. Xi made an inspection tour in Sichuan and extended greetings ahead of the Spring Festival, which falls on Feb. 16 this year. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

CHENGDU, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has stressed the development of the real economy and high-quality manufacturing in his recent inspections in southwest China ahead of the Chinese Lunar New Year.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, visited an electronics manufacturing firm in Chengdu, capital city of Sichuan Province, where he inspected liquid crystal panels production process and learned about the firm's information security products.

Xi showed keen interest in the latest progress in the digital information sector, which is considered a key part of the real economy.

He called on companies to improve their ability to innovate and compete in the global market, stressing that companies need to shift from Made-in-China to Invented-in-China and focus on quality instead of speed and creating more Chinese brands.

Xi visited the Tianfu New Area in Chengdu, asking about how to build industry around Lake Xinglong as well as the development of the China (Sichuan) Pilot Free Trade Zone, which is located in the new area.

Xi said that the Tianfu New Area is of great importance in building the Belt and Road and the development of the Yangtze River Economic Zone.

He called for developing the economy and protecting the environment at the same time.

Xi underscored that China's economy has shifted from high-speed growth to high-quality development and that the goal is to develop a modernized economy.

"The government of Sichuan should further promote the development of the real economy, deepen supply-side structural reform, encourage innovation, and push forward the coordinated development of urban and rural areas," Xi said.

Xi asked local officials to continue reforms in key areas including optimizing industrial structure, promoting urban and rural development, and creating a beautiful environment.