Xi said the region should give greater prominence to sci-tech innovation, make breakthroughs in core technologies in key fields and increase efforts in transforming technologies and upgrading products.

The region should vigorously develop its marine economy, forestry industry and cultural tourism, among others, he said.

Xi urged efforts to accelerate the development and opening-up of the Beibu Gulf Economic Zone and the Pearl River-Xijiang River Economic Belt, to build Guangxi into an important strategic hinterland for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.