Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, visited the Wuhan Institute of Industrial Innovation and Development on Tuesday afternoon during his inspection tour in central China's Hubei Province.
During his visit, Xi viewed displays showing successful sci-tech innovation supply chain platforms and their achievements, learned about measures taken to advance sci-tech innovation, and held in-depth discussions with researchers and company leaders.
Established in April 2022, the institute is committed to advancing technological innovation and promoting industry integration, with a focus on meeting innovation demands in key sectors such as optoelectronics, life sciences, and high-end equipment manufacturing.
It has collaborated with leading universities and institutions at home and abroad, and with esteemed academicians, expert teams, and core enterprises.
The institute's work spans five key platforms focusing on technology system reform, entrepreneurial investment, technology incubation and outcome transformation, talent development, and intellectual property protection and productive services, aiming to facilitate the conversion of high-level research achievements into tangible outcomes.
Xi visits industrial innovation institute during inspection in Hubei Province
Central China's Henan Province is experiencing a surge in international tourists driven by expanded visa-free policies, with visitors attracted by the traditional intangible cultural heritage, Chinese martial arts and local delicacies.
In Zhengzhou, the provincial capital, a vibrant cultural and creative district offers hands-on experiences like traditional lacquer fan making, alongside culinary delights such as culturally themed ice creams and spicy crispy tofu.
Dengfeng City, home to the world-renowned Shaolin Temple, has drawn travel groups to the city to experience Chinese martial arts. The large-scale live-action performances integrating kungfu with natural landscapes provide visitors with profound artistic immersion.
"It was something one-time in a life, nothing else in the world," said a tourist from Bulgaria.
The relaxed visa requirements have facilitated convenience for them to come to China.
"Of course, we are happy. It's always easier without the visa and complication, because before I was here last year, we had to have a visa and we had to show our visa everywhere," said Slav Kirilov, a Bulgarian tour group leader.
With the arrival of tourism season, there has been a marked increase in tour groups from Europe, East Asia, Southeast Asia and other regions.
"As the weather gets warmer, the number of international tour groups is steadily increasing. We now receive five to six groups each day, each with around 30 people. The number of groups has doubled compared with the same period last year," said Mao Rongjun, head of a scenic area in Dengfeng.
Last December, China extended the permitted stay for eligible foreign travelers from the original 72 and 144 hours to 240 hours, or 10 days.
The travelers from 54 countries can enter through any of the 60 ports across 24 provinces, regions and municipalities and stay within the designated areas for up to 240 hours.
Henan, one of the important birthplaces of Chinese civilization, is reaping the benefits of this policy.
"From Dec 17 to March 26, about 10,000 foreigners had entered through Zhengzhou's airports since the 240-hour visa-free policy was implemented, an increase of 334 percent over the same period 12 months earlier," said Yang Kui, a border inspector.
Expanded visa-free policy fuels inbound tourism in central China's Henan Province
