As China gears up for the Spring Festival, also known as the Chinese Lunar New Year, President Xi Jinping conveyed messages of good wishes, support, and confidence for the year 2024 to the Chinese people during his inspection tour in North China’s Tianjin Municipality on January 1 and 2.
In his capacity as the general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, and chairman of the Central Military Commission, President Xi extended his heartfelt wishes to Chinese people of all ethnic groups, compatriots in Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan, as well as overseas Chinese. He wished them good health and happiness in the Year of the Dragon, and prosperity for the motherland, as reported by Xinhua News Agency.
Continuing a tradition since assuming the Party’s top post in November 2012, President Xi spends time with the public ahead of the Spring Festival, particularly those in disadvantaged groups, to extend festive greetings. In the past, he has shared gifts of festive goods, participated in making traditional foods, and engaged in Spring Festival customs.
This practice not only underscores the Party’s people-centric development philosophy and the leadership’s commitment to improving the well-being of the people but also reflects China’s efforts to build a moderately prosperous society, known as Xiaokang, and pursue rural revitalization, according to analysts.
Prioritizing People’s Livelihoods
During his two-day tour in Tianjin, President Xi’s first stop was the Diliufu village in Xinkou township, located in Tianjin’s Xiqing District. The village had faced challenges due to extreme rainfall in the preceding year, causing floods in the Haihe River Basin.
President Xi, briefed about the flood impact, inspected greenhouses to assess vegetable growth. He engaged with farmers, inquiring about greenhouse restoration, vegetable reseeding, and sales. Visiting the home of a local villager, Du Honggang, President Xi discussed the family’s losses during the disaster, post-disaster production, and income. Emphasizing the importance of ensuring people’s livelihoods, he stated that the issue is always a top priority for the CPC Central Committee and governments at all levels.
President Xi’s visit resonated strongly with the villagers of Diliufu, fostering a festive atmosphere before the arrival of the Spring Festival. The president assured the villagers of the Party’s central leadership’s resolutions to improve livelihoods through enhanced water conservancy and flood control projects.
Reflecting on the president’s visit, residents expressed gratitude for his attention to their concerns and his encouragement to overcome difficulties. The focus on post-disaster reconstruction aligns with the Party’s commitment to supporting families in need during challenging times.
Journey to Innovation and Prosperity
President Xi’s annual festive greetings and visits over the past 12 years not only address disaster-hit areas but also trace China’s path toward development and prosperity. His visits often highlight ecological priorities, green development, and the pursuit of all-round rural vitalization.
The president consistently promotes the concept of ecological priority and green development, emphasizing the importance of showcasing the beauty of mountains and rivers. His visits underscore China’s commitment to pursuing high-quality development by complementing economic growth with improvements in ecological civilization.
President Xi’s visits also emphasize the country’s determination to achieve all-round rural revitalization, securing the gains of poverty alleviation. The president’s focus on independent scientific and technological innovation is evident through his visits to research institutions and encouragement of technology professionals.
His recent visit to Tianjin expressed the hope that the city becomes a national advanced manufacturing research and development base. President Xi’s footprints, spanning from poverty-stricken areas to innovative hubs, exemplify China’s dedication to progress and resilience.
As Chinese people eagerly anticipate the warmth and unity of the Spring Festival, President Xi’s greetings, visits to disaster-affected regions, inspections of reconstruction projects, and inquiries about replanting efforts not only warm hearts but also instill confidence. Strong confidence is deemed essential for overcoming challenges and navigating through a complex global landscape, aligning with the nation’s commitment to achieving its second centenary goal.