On March 7, Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke to the Heilongjiang delegation at the annual session of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature. He discussed regional mining industry developments and its transition, pointing out that state-owned enterprises need external help and internal motivation.

He called for more protections on wetlands and to strengthen ecological civilization construction, focusing on economic activities with multiple measures and striving for a new revitalization way.

Xi's remarks reflect deep concerns for the people of Northeast China and their fond hopes of remaking the northeastern old industrial base, which can boost confidence for local officials and people to deepen reforms and achieve a comprehensive revitalization.

Currently, the economic development of Northeast China remains at a crucial stage. To get rid of constraints from a deep-seated system and structural contradictions, we should support industrialization of better and new technology, recruiting all kinds of talents to support overall development in the market.

We should stick to the five development concepts of innovation, coordination, green development, opening up, and sharing to activate market forces and enhance endogenous power.

Northeast China's revitalization has a long way to go and numerous challenges to overcome. But if we have the spirit to undertake continued reform and innovation, we can make the northeastern old industrial base great again.

By Song Xiongwei, associate Professor, the department of politics, the China National School of Administration