Chinese Vice-Premier Huang Ju said that east China's Yangtze River Delta should take the lead in the modernization drive after concluding a nine-day inspection tour of the region.

Huang, who is also member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, visited workers on duty during the Spring Festival and investigated transportation in the region, which includes Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces and Shanghai Municipality.

Huang said the Yangtze River Delta boasts good geography, decent economic performance, abundant skilled people and rich history and culture. It should step up the efforts to build a well-off society and take the lead in China's modernization drive, he said.

Huang urged the Yangtze River Delta to build a modern transportation system, incorporating railways, highways, aviation and river routes.

(Xinhua News Agency January 29, 2004)