Dec 9, Foshan and Guangzhou

Guangdong Industrial Design City, a design facility in Shunde district of Foshan

Huanglong village in Shunde

Preside over an economic seminar in Guangzhou

China's Party chief Xi Jinping visits the family of Zhang Xiyao, a resident of Huanglong village in Shunde of Foshan, Guangdong province, on Sunday. [Photo/ Xinhua]

The visit to Foshan's Shunde by Xi sent an important message, encouraging local manufacturers to upgrade their businesses amid the global economic downturn, Liang Weidong, Party chief of Shunde, said.

"I accompanied Xi during his visit to Shunde. He attaches great importance to the innovation of science and technology to help upgrade manufacturing," he said.

"It also sent a strong signal from the central government to support the reform and opening-up policy. As a pioneer in this policy, we will place more importance on quality rather than quantity in the years ahead to maintain sustainable development," Liang said.

In Shunde, Xi paid a visit to Guangdong Industry Design City, located in the district's Beijiao township.

"Xi showed special interest in newly designed home appliances during his visit," said Shao Jimin, general manager of the design center.

When Shao demonstrated an oil-free fryer, Xi asked: "Will it be OK to cook deep-fried dough sticks without oil?"

"I told him that our workers are trying to design such a fryer. He smiled and nodded encouragingly," Shao said.

Xi also told Shao he hopes the number of designers will be 8,000 when he pays another visit to the center in years to come.

"We are so encouraged. His visit to the center has given us a strong signal that more technological innovation and design are needed in the process of industrial upgrading," Shao said.

Xi also visited the underdeveloped Huanglong village in Shunde in the afternoon.

In his one-hour tour, Xi visited a family that benefits from the government's minimum living subsidy.

"Xi listened very carefully when I talked about the difficult life I encountered in the past," said family member Chen Yanrong.

Chen, 48, has suffered health problems since a traffic accident in 2002.

"The top leader's visit gave us confidence that we can make a better living in the future," Chen said.

During his visit to the family, Xi gave an electronic dictionary to Chen's daughter, who studies at a local middle school."He encouraged my daughter to study hard and told us not to worry about the education fees," Chen said.