Photo taken on July 28, 2007 shows Chinese President Hu Jintao (center) chats with an elder woman in a residential community of Hangzhou, capital of east China's Zhejiang Procince,during his inspection tour in the province. [Xinhua]

HANGZHOU -- Chinese President Hu Jintao has urged officials to keep cleanhanded and devote themselves to the construction of a harmonious and all-around better-off society.

Hu, also general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), made the remarks during an inspection tour in east China's Zhejiang Province from Saturday to Sunday.

Hu said clean conduct of Party members and officials, which marks the vanguard nature of the CPC and the governance capability of the ruling party, is crucial to the country's development.

He urged all Party members and officials to remember their role in serving the people and better solve the problems where the people's immediate interest lies.

When visiting state-owned enterprises based in the booming province, Hu urged them to do more to promote independent innovation to sharpen their edge to face challenges from competitors at home and abroad.

Hu also asked local officials and businessmen to pay more attention to reducing pollutant emissions and saving energy.