Top legislator Wu Bangguo has asked officials in central China's Henan Province to speed up economic reform of the landlocked region.

Wu, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, said that Henan, with its abundant resources, had huge potential for growth, and local officials must lead Henan people to achieve greater progress in development.

"Development is a priority for building a harmonious society," Wu said, noting that economic development is vitally important for landlocked provinces in central and western China.

In his tour which lasted from November 14 to 18, Wu visited a tractor factory, a heavy machinery company, a food firm, a home appliance producer, a coal mine and a bus manufacturer.

Wu stressed the importance of scientific innovation and energy conservation for the development, and urged officials to speed up industrial restructuring.

He has set a goal for Henan to be an "economically and culturally robust province" in the near future. 

(Xinhua News Agency November 20, 2006)