GUANGZHOU, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Senior Chinese leader Jia Qinglin has encouraged south China's Guangdong Province to be a trailblazer in building a harmonious society and promoting the country's new economic growth pattern.

Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, toured businesses and research institutes during his visit here from Thursday to Monday.

He urged businesses to shift economic growth patterns and promote business restructuring at a faster pace.

Jia said that enterprises should strive for high quality and shift from reliance on the consumption of resources to stronger human resource and sound management, from low-end assembling and processing to developing brand-name products with indigenous innovation.

Jia also stressed improving the working and living conditions of employees to assure a harmonious working environment.

Jia also urged the province to enhance cooperation with Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, taking advantage of its adjacency with these regions, and to push Guangdong's cooperation with Taiwan to a new high.