Shanghai Party Secretary Han Zheng urged local officials to pursue innovation-led development strategy and turn Shanghai into an innovation center. He was speaking at a meeting on Wednesday, the first working day after the week-long Spring Festival holiday.

Han and Shanghai Mayor Yang Xiong visited the Municipal Science and Technology Commission, Municipal Development and Reform Commission, Jiao Tong University, Fudan University, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai Huayi Group and Shanghai Construction Group to learn about their plans, projects and problems.

Various municipal departments did their own research on innovative projects and talent recruitment. Several high-level conferences were held to prepare for the launch of the innovation-led development strategy, seek breakthroughs in talent recruitment, find ways to boost the city's international influence and competiveness, and share its successful experiences with other cities and provinces.

Local officials were told to overcome obstacles in their drive for innovation, make suggestions for new policies, and pool the resources of enterprises, universities and research institutions. The government should create good environment for companies to develop innovations and create a platform for innovations to turn into goods.

Mayor Yang Xiong and deputy Party secretary Ying Yong spoke at the meeting. Other city leaders Tu Guangshao, Ai Baojun, Xu Zezhou, Yin Hong, Zhou Bo, Shi Guanghui and Wang Zhixiong also attended the meeting.