President Xi Jinping has encouraged industrial workers to carry forward the spirit of role models and craftsmanship to contribute to the building of China into a country strong in manufacturing.

Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks in a reply letter, dated Friday, that was sent to representatives of workers of the China First Heavy Industries Co, a leading equipment manufacturer based in Qiqihar, Heilongjiang province.

The letter came after some role model workers from the CFHI, a centrally administered State-owned company, wrote to Xi recently, reporting on their efforts to strengthen technological research and development.

Xi commended their efforts and achievements in tackling core technological challenges in major equipment manufacturing, saying that they have demonstrated the patriotism and creativity of Chinese industrial workers in the new era. He emphasized that manufacturing is the backbone of a country and the foundation of a strong nation.

Centrally administered enterprises should boost reform and innovation, enhance their core functions and competitiveness, and work hard to become bigger, better and stronger, in order to contribute more to the endeavor to build a great country and move toward national rejuvenation on all fronts through Chinese modernization, Xi said.

He also encouraged industrial workers of the CFHI to contribute their wisdom and strength to the full revitalization of Northeast China.

China's northeastern region, comprising the provinces of Liaoning, Jilin and Heilongjiang, has been an integral part of the country's industrial backbone for decades.

However, in recent years, the region has faced economic challenges, including declining heavy industries and a shrinking population. The revitalization of China's northeastern region has been a long-standing priority for the Chinese government.

Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC in 2012, Xi has inspected the manufacturing bases of the CFHI twice and made instructions on its reform, innovation, operation and management.

His recent reply letter has inspired the CFHI workers to promote technological innovation.

Wang Hongqi, who works for a rolling mill under the CFHI, said that Xi's praise and encouragement in the letter made him feel proud of being a front-line industrial worker.

"The letter reminded me of 2018, when President Xi visited my company. He stood by the side of the machine tool I was working with and encouraged me to achieve even better results," he said.

Wang said that as an industrial worker of the younger generation, he will keep in mind Xi's advice and keep improving his skills to make his due contributions to building the CFHI into a world-class industrial group.

Song Mingjing, a technician at a CFHI subsidiary engaged in the manufacturing of special equipment, said that technological innovation and product quality are the lifelong pursuits of every industrial worker.

Song said that she will focus on solving technological challenges, continue to improve product quality and make greater efforts to achieve optimization and standardization of production skills.

Zhou Huiying in Harbin contributed to this story.