Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits an ancient gate tower and a street lined with ancient memorial archways to check the restoration and protection of cultural relics, the inheritance of intangible cultural heritage and the development of cultural and tourism resources in Chaozhou, south China's Guangdong Province, Oct. 12, 2020. Xi on Monday arrived in Guangdong to begin an inspection tour of the province. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, on Monday stressed better protection and development of the ancient city of Chaozhou during his inspection tour in south China's Guangdong Province.

Xi visited local shops, inquired about prices and talked with the residents, learning about the protection of historical and cultural blocks and resumption of business.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, speaks with people while visiting a street lined with ancient memorial archways in Chaozhou, south China's Guangdong Province, Oct. 12, 2020. Xi on Monday arrived in Guangdong to begin an inspection tour of the province. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)

Chaozhou is a famous cultural city with a long history, he said, hailing Chaoshan culture as an important part of the Chinese culture.

Xi called Chaozhou embroidery and the region's wood carving, sculpture, opera, tea and cuisine precious treasures of the Chinese culture.

"We love this city. We must take good care of it and build it well," he said.