BEIJING -- Chinese President Xi Jinping urged the government of Southwest China's Guizhou province to pursue economic development through innovation during a tour of the province between Tuesday and Thursday.

Visiting an exhibition on big data in Guiyang City on Wednesday, Xi stressed the need for more investment and research into this field as China's big data industry is still in its infancy.

"We must try to make a head start as we face the tide of information application. Concrete moves to promote use of big data are key in deepening its integration with industrialization," he said while talking to entrepreneurs at the exhibition.

While visiting an "education zone" which is home to 19 vocational colleges with nearly 60,000 students and teachers, the president described vocational education as an important part of the country's education system and urged continued improvement of it.

During his visit to Gui'an New District, he stressed that the planning and construction of the new district should aim for environmental sustainability as well as high standards.

Xi called for high-quality IT services and better e-commerce platforms as he inspected two IT enterprises in Gui'an New District.

The president advised the local government that it could improve its people's livelihood through sound management of key issues including education, medical care, social security and food safety. He also called for better care for senior citizens and rural children whose parents have left them to work in cities.

He also urged the government to coordinate grassroots political, economic and social organizations so they can all contribute to the country's development.