Chinese President Xi Jinping learns about the reform and development of state-owned enterprises at the R&D headquarters of automaker FAW Group in Changchun, northeast China's Jilin Province, July 23, 2020. Xi Jinping on Thursday inspected Changchun, the capital city of Jilin Province. (Photo: Xinhua)

CHANGCHUN, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, on Thursday stressed the importance of mastering key and core technologies and building strong domestic automobile brands.

Xi was visiting the R&D headquarters of automaker FAW Group in Changchun City during his inspection tour in northeast China's Jilin Province.

He learned about the automaker's technological research and development as well as the latest models of its auto brand Hongqi, which means "Red Flag."

Xi said he was impressed by FAW's achievements in terms of technological innovation and indigenous brand development.

The global automobile manufacturing industry is marked by fierce competition and growing trend of informatization and going smart, posing both challenges and opportunities to Chinese automakers, he noted.

"We must ensure key and core technologies are in our own hands, and aspire to build strong domestic automobile brands," Xi said.