Shortly after the Mid-Autumn Festival on September 26, 2018, Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visited China First Heavy Industries (CFHI) in Qiqihar, an old industrial base in Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, to inspect the progress of independent innovation in the equipment manufacturing sector.
President Xi Jinping speaks to workers during his visit to China First Heavy Industries in Qiqihar, Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, September 26, 2018. (Photo: Xinhua)
Founded in 1954, CFHI is a leading equipment manufacturer that has created more than 400 "China's firsts."
Xi first visited a workshop. Wang Hongqi, a young technical worker, was measuring a workpiece in front of a 400-ton machine tool.
Seeing Xi walking toward him, Wang climbed down from the 3-meter work platform. With a smile, Xi shook hands with Wang, asking, "What kind of workpiece are you processing?"
Wang told Xi that he was machining the shaft journal of a combined rotor for a turbine company.
"Are you from here?" Xi asked.
"I'm a native of Fularji district (in Qiqihar). I was born and raised there."
"How long have you been in this position?"
"I've been here for 11 years and in this position for seven or eight years."
"Where did you graduate from?"
"I graduated from China First Heavy Industries Technician College."
"What is your monthly salary?"
"Around 8,200 yuan (about $1,200)."
The conversation lasted nearly five minutes. Before leaving, Xi shook Wang's hand and said, "Keep up the good work in this position and achieve even better results."
Xi's second stop was the hydraulic press forging plant. In the large plaza close to the plant, nine of CFHI's core products were on display.
Among them, the Hualong One tube sheet had reached world-class manufacturing technology, replacing imported equivalents and meeting the construction requirements for third-generation nuclear power plants with independent intellectual property rights.
Liu Boming, deputy director of the hydraulic press forging plant, introduced the products to Xi. "All of you have made significant contributions to the nation's major equipment manufacturing," Xi said. "You're true heroes!"
"We must follow the path of self-reliance. For China to develop, it must rely on itself."
Xi's words during the inspection sought to inspire and motivate all CFHI employees.
He encouraged everyone to shoulder the historic responsibility, create a clear development roadmap and mobilize the innovative and creative potential of all talents to advance the nation's cause.
Following Xi's inspection, CHFI established a career ladder for frontline workers. In 2020, Wang Hongqi was named the chief skill master, with his salary rising from 8,200 yuan to 12,000 yuan.
The youth innovation team that Wang and his colleagues founded has achieved the titles of "world's largest" and "nation's first," while making significant contributions to expanding domestic manufacturing and filling technical gaps in China.
(Compiled by Xie Runjia and Yu Jiming; Edited by Huang Jingjing; Proofread by Zhang Jian; Source: Xi Jinping and Frontline Workers, a book featuring Xi's engagements with workers published by China Workers Press in late 2025)