Liu Qibao, a member of the Political Bureau and Secretariat of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of its Publicity Department, visited Guangdong Province from May 14 to 16 to conduct an in-depth investigation into local economic and cultural development.

During his trip, Liu emphasized the need for a nationwide campaign to study, publicize and implement the ideas from a series of important speeches by President Xi Jinping. He said that Guangdong Province should initiatively adapt to and take the lead in the new normal of economic development. He called for the encouragement of innovation and entrepreneurship, so as to provide strong public support for the sustained and healthy development of economy and society.

Liu also went deep into some residential areas and grassroots-level institutions and enterprises to investigate specific steps towards innovation, entrepreneurship, cultural reform and local opera development.

Liu pointed out that innovation and entrepreneurship are important driving forces of economic and social development. He said that both innovative achievements and prominent entrepreneurs should be widely publicized and spread among the people in order to create an atmosphere in which scientists and technicians will be highly respected.

Liu stressed that local governments should vigorously promote cultural reform. He suggested that new and advanced technology be used to develop new cultural industries, expand the cultural industry to overseas markets and promote cultural exchanges with foreign countries.

Liu stressed the importance of building a modern public cultural service system, involving grassroots cultural facilities, a service network and local opera heritage. He said that Guangdong Province is at the forefront of China's reform and opening up to the outside world and should continue to take the lead in the development of cultural reform.