SHENYANG, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- As the traditional Chinese New Year draws near, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese president, and chairman of the Central Military Commission, braved the cold to make an inspection trip to Liaoning Province, where he visited primary-level officials and residents. He also extended Spring Festival greetings to the Chinese people of all ethnic groups, compatriots in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Macao Special Administrative Region and Taiwan, and overseas Chinese. He wished all Chinese people at home and abroad good health, success in work, family happiness, and good fortune in the Year of the Snake! He also wished for the great motherland to enjoy peace, favorable weather for bumper harvest and prosperity.
From Jan. 22 to 24, Xi visited Huludao, Shenyang and Benxi cities, accompanied by Hao Peng, secretary of the CPC Liaoning Provincial Committee, and Provincial Governor Li Lecheng. During the visit, Xi conducted in-depth inspections of a village, a market, a community and an enterprise, conveying solicitude and good wishes from the CPC Central Committee to primary-level officials and residents.
On the afternoon of Jan. 22, Xi arrived in Huludao City and took a nearly one-hour ride to Zhujiagou Village in Suizhong County. Last August, the village suffered severe flooding, and 41 affected households moved into newly built homes before winter. At the entrance of the village, Xi inspected the affected areas, asking in detail about the flooding of houses and the relocation of villagers. He then went to the village's service center for Party and public affairs, where he learned about the progress of post-disaster recovery and reconstruction through videos and display boards. Xi urged local officials to ensure the well-being of the villagers, making sure they stay warm during the winter.
As the day marked the Kitchen God Festival, or the Little New Year on the Chinese lunar calendar, every household put up Spring Festival couplets and window decorations in preparation for the upcoming celebrations. Xi visited villagers Zhu Xicun and Wang Baowei, checking the structural quality of their homes and asking about their preparations for the Chinese New Year. He also inquired whether government subsidies for rebuilding had been adequately provided and asked about the villagers' main sources of income. While Xi was sitting with Wang's family, Wang told him that their new house was bright and warm, and that they had everything ready for the Chinese New Year. Wang added that all the villagers felt deep gratitude toward the Party and the general secretary. Xi asked Wang if he had any other requests or wishes. Wang replied that he hoped to live a better life. With a smile, Xi said, "Your hope is our hope. The people can always count on the Party and the government."
As Xi was leaving, the villagers gathered to send their regards. Their applause and cheers echoed through the air, filling the small mountainous village with excitement. Xi told the villagers that over the past year, natural disasters struck a number of places across the country, including their village. "Our Party has placed the people first, with officials and the masses united as one, achieving significant successes in disaster relief and recovery," he said. "As the Spring Festival draws near, on behalf of the CPC Central Committee, I extend sincere regards and festive greetings to all those affected by the disaster and all those working on the frontlines of post-disaster recovery and reconstruction!"
The time-honored Dadong food market in Shenyang, the provincial capital, offered a dazzling array of distinctive festive goods. On the morning of Jan. 23, Xi arrived at the market, visiting stalls and engaging with merchants and customers to learn about the market supply during the holiday season. His presence sparked excitement, with people cheering and greeting him enthusiastically. Xi emphasized the importance of grain, vegetable and fruit supplies. He noted that, with material abundance now a reality, it is even more important to ensure that everyone has access to good and healthy food during the Chinese New Year.
Xi then visited the Chang'an residential community, which had undergone a comprehensive renovation, in Dadong District's Chang'an Subdistrict. He stopped by the home of Lang Sulan, a resident whose home has "four generations living under the same roof." Upon learning that the renovation had significantly improved living conditions with adequate services and support now in place, he expressed his affirmation of the efforts. Xi emphasized that urban renovation should be tailored to local conditions and integrated with community development, prioritizing convenience, benefits and safety for the residents. He also highlighted the importance of better care for the elderly and children.
At the community service center for Party and public affairs, some residents were busy writing Spring Festival couplets -- a traditional Chinese calligraphy art for holiday decorations, while children were crafting traditional Chinese knots that symbolize auspiciousness. Xi joined them, commending their creations and encouraging them to continue preserving and promoting fine traditional Chinese culture. Xi also enjoyed a Chinese bamboo flute ensemble performed by community retirees. "Having a good Spring Festival means a great start to the new year. A happy life for every family and a good time for the elderly and children are what we call a beautiful world. Let us strive together to make such a world even more beautiful," he told the residents.
In the community's public square, residents performed Yangge dance. Xi waved to the crowd and extended festive greetings to them.
On the afternoon of Jan. 23, Xi visited a cold rolling mill of Ansteel in the city of Benxi. At the corporate control center, he inspected the operation of the centralized intelligent system, and learned about the cold rolling process, technological innovations, and product performance at a workshop. He also met with model workers, leading young technicians, and representatives of other workers. Xi said that the manufacturing sector should keep pursuing higher-end, smarter, and more eco-friendly development, and produce more technology-intensive products with higher added value. Large state-owned enterprises like Ansteel should make more contributions to Chinese modernization.
On the morning of Jan. 24, Xi listened to reports from the CPC Liaoning Provincial Committee and the provincial government. He affirmed what the province has achieved in various aspects of its work. He hoped that Liaoning would strive to break new ground for the full revitalization of the Northeast in the new era and write a Liaoning chapter of Chinese modernization.
Xi noted that, with a relatively complete industrial system, Liaoning should attach the same importance to the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries and to the cultivation and development of emerging strategic industries, speeding up modernizing its industrial system. As far as traditional industries are concerned, industrial foundation re-engineering and research on major technologies and equipment should be strengthened to constantly boost their core competitiveness. To boost emerging strategic industries, the key is to strengthen deep integration of technological and industrial innovation and develop new quality productive forces according to local conditions. The heavier the tasks of development are, the more importance the province should attach to ecological and environmental protection, so as to promote the green transition in all areas of economic and social development.
Xi stressed that reform and opening up are after all essential to the full revitalization of Northeast China. Xi urged Liaoning to focus on key issues, prioritize key areas and address difficulties in reform. He called on Liaoning to make great efforts in building law-based governance, continuously implementing the principle of unswervingly consolidating and developing the public sector and unswervingly encouraging, supporting, and guiding the development of the non-public sector, and refining the modern corporate system with distinctive Chinese characteristics. As China is opening up increasingly wider, officials at all levels should improve their capabilities of looking at problems, making policies and managing work by taking into consideration opening-up conditions.
Xi noted that Liaoning has abundant agricultural resources and a relatively solid foundation for development. It is imperative for Liaoning to further advance integrated development of urban and rural areas, push forward with urbanization that is centered on county seats, optimize the allocation of public resources and the layout of industrial chains at the county, township and village levels, and take solid steps to promote all-round rural revitalization. It is essential for Liaoning to apply the experience from the Green Rural Revival Program, find out in detail where to start with the practical work in accordance with local conditions, and then continue the endeavor with perseverance. As far as primary-level governance is concerned, specific responsibilities must be clarified for specific persons to make sure every aspect of work is done to the utmost capabilities of those involved and to the great benefit of residents.
Xi emphasized that governments at all levels bear an important responsibility to promote cultural confidence and strength, and enhance socialist cultural-ethical development. Great efforts should be made to improve cultural originality, produce more high-quality works, and further implement cultural programs for public interest. Culture should serve to enlighten people so as to rally public support, and strengthen confidence. In this way, the passion and determination of officials and the general public will be stimulated for reform, innovation, and development.
Xi pointed out that the Party's leadership must be unwaveringly upheld, and full and rigorous Party self-governance must be steadfastly exercised. The political and organizational functions of Party organizations should be strengthened, and a clean and upright political environment must be maintained. Party members and officials should be educated and guided to remain loyal, upright, and responsible. These principles must always be firmly upheld at all times. It is essential to thoroughly implement the eight-point decision on improving Party conduct along with detailed rules for its implementation, and ensure that officials at all levels take a realistic and pragmatic approach and maintain integrity and self-discipline.
Xi emphasized in the end that, with the Spring Festival approaching, Party committees and governments at all levels must conscientiously care for those in need, ensure smooth transportation during the Spring Festival travel rush, secure market supply, enrich cultural life, and strengthen production safety measures to ensure that the people enjoy a happy, peaceful, and harmonious holiday.
Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, accompanied Xi on the inspection tour.
He Lifeng and leading officials of relevant central Party and state departments also accompanied Xi on the inspection tour. ■
