President Xi's Shanghai inspection: Unleashing innovation; inspiring the youth

Editor's note: Jessica Durdu, a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN, is a foreign affairs specialist and PhD candidate in international relations at China Foreign Affairs University. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

Chinese President Xi Jinping's inspection tour of Shanghai, China's economic and innovation powerhouse, underscores not only the city's vital role in national development but also the central leadership's deep commitment to placing innovation at the core of China's modernization.

As Xi stated during Tuesday's visit, Shanghai has a "historic mission" to become a world-class hub for scientific and technological innovation. In doing so, it must seize strategic opportunities, serve the national agenda and enhance its original innovation capabilities and leadership in high-end industries.

This visit was more than symbolic; it was a direct inspection and visit by the country's top leader to ensure alignment between local innovation ecosystems and national goals. Despite China's vast size and population, Xi's hands-on leadership style ensures he remains personally engaged with developments across regions, industries and technologies. This deep involvement reflects the core principle of putting the people at the center, which remains a cornerstone of Chinese governance philosophy.

Accompanied by senior Shanghai officials, Xi toured the Shanghai Foundation Model Innovation Center, a large model incubator located in Xuhui District. The tour highlighted the city's progress in developing next-generation large-scale artificial intelligence (AI) models and fostering an innovation-friendly ecosystem.

With over 100 companies already settled in this specialized AI incubation hub, the platform has become a breeding ground for cutting-edge technological advancement. As AI is entering a rapid, explosive development phase, Xi emphasized the need for Shanghai to strive to be at the forefront in both AI development and governance and to create demonstrative models that can be replicated nationwide, signaling that innovation must be comprehensive, secure, and socially responsible.

What set this visit apart was Xi's heartfelt engagement with young innovators. Xi said artificial intelligence is a young industry and belongs to young people, as he engaged directly with young innovators participating in a salon on AI agents. His words were more than encouragement; they reflected the national vision that the youth are not only beneficiaries of China's modernization but are themselves critical participants in realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

This belief ties into a Confucian notion of responsibility between generations: intergenerational continuity. Just as ancestors built the foundations of today's society, the younger generation must carry history and contribute their talents to building a modern socialist country with Chinese characteristics.

At the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, Xi pointed out that "education, science and technology and human resources are the foundational and strategic pillars for building a modern socialist country in all respects. We must regard science and technology as our primary productive force, talent as our primary resource and innovation as our primary driver of growth." Therefore, during his trip to Shanghai, he called for increased policy support and talent training, with the aim of producing more high-quality, secure and reliable products. This strategy is particularly important as China is leading not just in terms of size or speed, but in terms of quality, thanks to the vision of high-quality growth.

In this regard, Shanghai exemplifies the combination of modern development with traditional values. It embodies the Confucian principle of finding balanced and sustainable solutions. Whether through pioneering AI governance, advancing digital finance or fostering green growth, the city harmonizes rapid progress with long-term strategic stability.

President Xi's direct participation in product demonstrations, his conversations with young innovators and his policy guidance during the visit convey more than an administrative message. They represent a leadership philosophy rooted in integrity, duty and vision. His leadership follows the path of great Chinese politicians who viewed governance not merely as a rule but as a service. Even in the country of over 1.4 billion people, Xi's presence in Shanghai demonstrates his dedication to guiding China's transformation at every level.

As the global environment grows more uncertain, Shanghai's rise as a global innovation hub under Xi's leadership shows how local action, aligned with national vision, can generate global influence. His visit is a clear reminder that in building a modern socialist country, the success of innovation hubs like Shanghai and the young minds they nurture will define the future of China's development.

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