With the Spring Festival just around the corner, President Xi Jinping visited Zhujiagou Village in Liaoning Province to meet with residents affected by last year’s devastating floods.
Braving the freezing temperatures, Xi greeted villagers who have recently moved into new homes after severe flooding destroyed much of their community in August. Heavy rains had triggered floods that impacted 185,000 people across Suizhong County, with Zhujiagou being one of the hardest-hit areas.
“I have been concerned about you and came to see you before the Spring Festival,” Xi told the residents. “What I’ve seen today makes me feel relieved.”
The floods had destroyed roads and inundated over 70 hectares of farmland. More than 50 homes were damaged, with 41 deemed unsafe. By October 24, all 186 villagers from these households had moved into newly built homes on higher ground, thanks to a rapid reconstruction project that began in early September.
Xi inspected the new homes and inquired about the villagers’ daily lives. He emphasized that “we have always put the people first,” assuring them that the Party and government are there to help rebuild and overcome difficulties.
“People can always count on the Party and the government in their most difficult times,” Xi said, expressing confidence that restoration efforts across affected areas will yield positive results.
This visit continues Xi’s tradition of meeting with people at the grassroots level ahead of the Lunar New Year. For 13 consecutive years, he has spent time with ordinary citizens, offering support and sharing in festive preparations.
In previous years, Xi visited flood-affected villagers in Tianjin Municipality and Shanxi Province, stressing the importance of enhancing flood control and water conservancy projects. “Only when the people are secure can the country prosper,” he told villagers in Diliubu.
Xi’s heartfelt interactions, like helping a villager calculate household expenses or making traditional snacks with locals, highlight his commitment to improving people’s lives. “My job is to serve the people,” he said during a visit to Wenchuan County, the site of the 2008 earthquake.
In his New Year message, Xi once again emphasized that “of all the jobs in front of us, the most important is to ensure a happy life for our people.” His visits ahead of the Spring Festival are a vivid demonstration of this commitment.
