President Xi Jinping prepares to give a speech on Wednesday at a grand gathering to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone in Shenzhen, Guangdong province. FENG YONGBIN/CHINA DAILY

Going forward, Xi said it is important for Shenzhen to unwaveringly carry out innovation-driven strategy, foster new growth engines and become a leading hub in scientific, technological and industrial innovation with global influence, he said.

He highlighted the need to plan the development of strategic emerging sectors, foster the growth of future industry and develop the digital economy, adding that more investment must be made in fundamental and basic research that can be applied.

The growth of the modern service sector, such as finance, research and development, design, legal services and conventions and exhibitions must be stepped up, he said.

The city must follow a more open policy to attract and cultivate a group of world-class talent in areas such as strategic science and technology and high-caliber innovation teams, Xi said.

"Reform has come to a new historic point, and many problems (we face) are unprecedented, new ones. The level of complexity, sensitivity and difficulty in pressing ahead with reform is no easier than 40 years ago," he said.

He added it would require greater political courage and wisdom and sticking to the approach of "crossing the river by feeling the stones" to enhance top-level design and deepen reform in key areas and procedures.

Xi pledged support to the city in piloting reforms in a number of key areas, such as improving the system and mechanism for market allocation of resources, the business environment, the high-level open economic system and the governance system for the ecology, the environment and urban space.

In pushing forward across-the-board opening-up, Xi called for efforts to accelerate advancing opening-up with institutional guarantees such as rules and norms, and explore a more flexible policy system and a more scientific management system in terms of domestic and foreign trade, investment and financing, finance and taxation, financial innovation and personnel exit and entry.

Challenges highlighted

He highlighted the challenges faced by the city in urban governance and lack of urban space for development, saying that it should accelerate steps to modernize its governance system and capacities.

Xi underlined the solid implementation of the people-centered philosophy of development in the reform and development of SEZs, with efforts to address issues in areas such as employment, education, medical care, social security, housing, elderly care, food safety, the environment and public security.

The president also urged the city to seize historic opportunities arising from the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, stressing that rules and mechanisms for the economy in the three areas must be better synergized and the development of intercity railways must be accelerated.

Also on Wednesday, Xi presented a flower basket at the statue of former leader Deng Xiaoping at Lianhuashan Park in Shenzhen, expressing his deep respect for Deng.