KUNMING - Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, has stressed that the cultural and tourism industry should follow a path of sustainable and healthy development.

Xi made the remarks when he visited a modern flower industry park and the Old Town of Lijiang in Southwest China's Yunnan province on Wednesday afternoon.

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Walking along a stone-paved road, Xi occasionally paused to chat with the crowd.

"The town's culture, scenery and folk traditions are truly captivating," Xi said, adding that the integration of culture and tourism has boosted the economy.

"I wish you all happiness and good health," he said.

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Xi talked with villagers and technicians working there, asking about the flower varieties, market sales and their incomes.

Also, he learned about local efforts to develop specialized agriculture based on regional conditions, enhance the protection and utilization of historical and cultural heritage, and foster a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation.