SHANGHAI, May 3 (Xinhua) -- During an inspection tour in Shanghai on April 29, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, stressed that Shanghai shoulders the historical mission of building an international center for scientific and technological innovation. He urged the municipality to actively seize opportunities, stay aligned with national strategies, continuously strengthen its capacity for original innovation in science and technology, further enhance its leading role in high-end industries, and accelerate the development of a globally influential sci-tech innovation hub.

On the morning of April 29, Xi visited the Shanghai Foundation Model Innovation Center, a large model incubator in Xuhui District. He was accompanied by Chen Jining, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee, and Shanghai Mayor Gong Zheng.

The innovation center is a specialized artificial intelligence (AI) large model incubation and acceleration platform established by the city, and has attracted over 100 companies to settle here. At the center, Xi learned about AI industry development in Shanghai via a video clip, visited an exhibition of large model products from major incubated enterprises, and heard a briefing about related technological research and development as well as the production and operations of enterprises. Xi commended the tangible progress Shanghai has achieved in actively promoting AI development. Noting that AI technologies are evolving rapidly and entering a phase of explosive growth, Xi urged Shanghai to summarize its successful experience in fields such as nurturing the AI industry through a large model industrial ecosystem, intensify exploration efforts, and strive to take the lead in every aspect of AI development and governance, thus setting an example for other regions.

On the third floor of the innovation center, a salon themed "the autonomous evolution of next-generation intelligent agents" was underway. Xi joined the event with keen interest and had cordial exchanges with young innovators there. The participants eagerly shared with Xi the achievements and insights of their teams in AI research and industrial applications. Xi told them that AI is a nascent industry, and it is also an industry that belongs to young people. As China is advancing the great cause of building a strong nation and realizing national rejuvenation on all fronts, it is the prime time for the young generation to demonstrate their talent and capabilities. The mission of realizing the great dream of the Chinese nation rests on the shoulders of young people. Xi encouraged them to cherish a deep love for the country, set their sights on serving the nation, and strengthen their capabilities. They should also closely link their personal endeavors with the country's future, carry forward the baton of history with flying colors, and shine brightly on the broad stage of advancing Chinese modernization.

Xi then entered a showroom featuring AI products. The counters were filled with innovative products, including smart glasses, smart toys for children, and AI-powered musical instruments. He learned about the functions of the products and current market trends in detail. With great interest, he tried on a pair of smart glasses for a firsthand experience. Xi said China has abundant data resources, a complete industrial system and huge market potential, offering broad prospects for AI development. He emphasized the need to strengthen policy support and talent cultivation, and to strive for the creation of more high-quality, safe and reliable products.

When Xi was about to leave, scientific researchers and enterprise employees at the innovation center greeted him enthusiastically and invited him to visit again. Xi waved to the crowd and wished them a happy International Workers' Day, encouraging them to constantly strive for new accomplishments and make new contributions.

Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, accompanied Xi on the inspection tour.

He Lifeng and leading officials of relevant central Party and government departments also joined the inspection tour.