President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, learns about the reform and development of state-owned enterprises at the R&D headquarters of automaker FAW Group in Changchun, Northeast China's Jilin province, July 23, 2020. [Photo/Xinhua]

Xi spoke with newly recruited college graduates at FAW and inquired about the employment of college graduates this year.

He called for authorities at various levels to give high priority to helping college grads find jobs, adding that the graduates should transform their concepts on job selection.

Xi stressed the need to reinforce independent research and development of core technologies and key parts in promoting the high-quality development of China's auto industry and to enable independence and self-improvement of technologies while making domestic brands bigger and stronger.

With competition still fierce in the global manufacturing sector, it is important to seize opportunities and vigorously develop strategic, emerging sectors to catch up with global leaders, he said.

During the Friday meeting with provincial officials, Xi emphasized that the deepening of reform in State-owned enterprises must be moved forward, while more work must be done to support the growth of private businesses and stimulate the vitality of various market players.

The province must play an active role in the Belt and Road Initiative and develop itself into a window for China to open up to the country's northern neighbors as well as a hub for cooperation in northeastern Asia, he said.

He urged local authorities to make proactive efforts to create new jobs, help the unemployed find work and prioritize support to college graduates, military veterans and migrant workers.

The work of promoting clean governance and fighting corruption must be further moved forward and constant efforts must be made to build a political atmosphere of integrity, he added.