SHANGHAI, Jan. 18 -- Chinese President Hu Jintao has called for more efforts to promote independent innovation and upgrading of the industrial structure during his inspection tour to Shanghai which ended Sunday.

Hu visited scientific research bases, industrial parks and workshops of enterprises during the four-day tour, making investigations and research on the transformation of the mode of economic growth and work to promote sound and fast economic and social development.

Hu Jintao (2nd L, front), general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, tries the TV and video communication functions of a mobile phone as he inspects Spreadtrum Communications, Inc., in Shanghai, east China, on Jan. 16, 2010. Hu Jintao made an inspection tour in Shanghai on Jan. 14-17. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Hu stressed promoting independent innovation and making breakthroughs in core technologies. Such breakthroughs would provide strong support for the transformation of the mode of economic growth, he said.

During his visit to Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd., Hu said that the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee had made a strategic decision to develop large passenger aircraft. He expressed hopes that the company stick to independent innovation and succeed at an early date.

At the Spreadtrum Communication, Inc., a high-tech company founded by returned overseas students, Hu said independent innovation is the lifeline of a company. He told the company staff "I hope you could make further breakthroughs in core technologies, so as to boost China's communication industry."

Hu also inspected the modern service industry in Shanghai.

When visiting the logistic park of Shanghai Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone, Hu said logistic industry plays a crucial part in building Shanghai into an international economic, financial, trade and shipping center.

At China UnionPay, a joint stock financial service company that has issued more than 2.1 billion bank cards in the country, Hu urged the company to make UnionPay an international brand.

Hu also visited the Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility project, Shanghai Electric Group and a creative industrial park.

At the end of the inspection tour, Hu heard the work report by the CPC Shanghai municipal committee and the Shanghai government. He highly appreciated the work in Shanghai in recent years.

He called on the cadres and people in Shanghai to stage a "successful, brilliant and memorable" World Expo.

Hu said China should take the international financial crisis as an opportunity to restructure the industry and enhance independent innovation, so as to shift the pattern of economic growth.

Hu also urged to promote energy conservation, emission reduction and eco-protection, as well as to improve people's livelihood, so that the shift of economic growth pattern could benefit the general public.