LANZHOU, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, on Tuesday visited a vocational school in Zhangye City, northwest China's Gansu Province, stressing the importance of developing vocational education.

China's northwestern region lags behind in development due to natural conditions, Xi said, noting that although development conditions vary from region to region, there should be no difference in equality of opportunity.

To solve this problem, it is essential to develop education, especially vocational education, he said at the Bailie School in Shandan county, Zhangye.

China's economy needs the support of the real economy, which requires a large number of professional and technical personnel and craftsmen. "Therefore, vocational education has a lot to contribute," Xi said, voicing his support.