Beijing, 20 January 2023 (TDI): On the occasion of the spring festival in China, Chinese President Xi Jinping, the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, & Chairman of the Central Military Commission, engaged with officials and ordinary people via video link.
He also extended best wishes to the Chinese people. This new year marks the Year of the Rabbit. President Xi wished the great motherland prosperity and peace.
Due to the Spring festival, the country is filled with festivities. On 18 January, in the east hall of the Great Hall of the People, Xi addressed the officials and local people in Heilongjiang, Fujian, Xinjiang, Henan, Beijing, and Sichuan.
He made a virtual talk with medical workers that are working to control the epidemic, also, with the senior citizens at a welfare home, employees of an energy supply enterprise, officials, and workers of a high-speed railway station.
Moreover, with vendors and customers at the market, and officials and villagers in a village. He sent them regards from the CPC Central Committee.
Prevention and Control of COVID-19
Xi remained concerned about the prevention and control of COVID-19. He video-linked the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University in Heilongjiang Province and talked with medical staff and patients.
He also inquired about fever clinic treatment, drug allocation, and patient rehabilitation. Xi was relieved after knowing that the number of acute patients is on the decline and patients were recovering rapidly.
After that, he made conversations with elderly people and wished them recovery. He applauded the role of medical workers that are busy with prevention and taking control measures as China has faced multiple outbreaks of COVID-19.
Xi also greeted Lunar New Year to all medical workers on behalf of the CPC Central Committee. He said that strong perseverance among medical staff and patients is the key to fighting the pandemic.
The focus is now shifted from infection prevention to medical treatment. More efforts should be made to protect people’s health. He also stressed the need for an increase in medical services and the supply of resources.
Social Welfare Home
Then he talked with the social welfare home in Fuzhou, the capital of east China’s Fujian Province. He greeted the elderly and nurses also inquired about their living and medical conditions.
Moreover, inquire about epidemic prevention and control, and also about the availability of vaccination for the elderly. He was pleased to know that the social welfare home is taking care of the elderly in all respects.
Such as adequate food, supplies of medicines, and monitoring of health. He was concerned about the mutation of the virus and its threat among the elderly. He said, “I am particularly concerned about the elderly friends.”
He said nursing homes and welfare homes should play an effective role in the promotion of vaccination and improving prevention, control, and treatment mechanisms to ensure patient recovery.
The Tarim Oilfield of China National Petroleum Corporation
Xi then connected through a video link to the Kelaji gas zone, the first station of West-to-East gas pipelines under the Lunnan Oil and Gas Reserve Center of Tarim Oilfield.
Tarim Oilfield of China National Petroleum Corporation is the third largest onshore oil and gas producer. The corporation is also a major natural gas source for the country’s West-to-East.
Xi greeted and wishes for the upcoming Spring festival to the staff members. The General Secretary urged the staff to perform their duties during the Chinese Lunar New Year holiday.
Xi said that energy security is vital for the overall socio-economic growth of the country. The livelihood of many people is depending upon it and it also provides energy supply to households, industries, and firms.
Zhengzhou East Railway Station
The railway station is one of the high-speed railway stations in China. According to an estimation, the station would transport 3.37 million passengers during the Spring Festival travel rush.
Through video link, he conveyed greetings and also stressed the need for safe traveling during the festival. He also inquired about passenger flow daily at the station.
He also added that anti-pandemic measures and control must be implemented along with high-security measures for passengers’ safety.
He also shows concerns over the transport capacity to ensure people’s safe travel. He said that preventive measures should be taken to avoid and mitigate accidents. He applauded the role of staff and workers in the transportation system.
Vegetable and Fruit Market
Xi also conveyed his greetings to merchants of vegetable and fruit markets. He wished them for celebrating the coming Lunar New Year.
He stressed the adequate availability of food commodities during the festivities. He also inquired about the wholesale prices from merchants.
He was satisfied after learning about the adequate supply of food commodities in wholesale markets, and also about stable pricing. He said that food commodities are essential.
He focused on the availability of a variety of food commodities. He also pointed out the need for safety measures and control to prevent the pandemic.
He said that officials must ensure and guarantee the production of sales of grain, oil, meat, eggs, milk, fruits, vegetables and mushrooms, and other important livelihood commodities.
Shiyi Village
It is a village that has been reconstructed after the Wenchuan earthquake. Now it has become an exemplary village in China, known as the “mountain village on the clouds.” It has beautiful mountains and agricultural trade.
Cultural activities and tourism are thriving in this village. Xi extended wishes to villagers, tourists, farmers, and comrades on the front line of rural revitalization via video link. Xi communicated with them and inquired about their condition.
The Chinese President praised the revitalization of the area and its development as an agricultural and tourist spot.
He wished them further progress and greater achievements. He also communicated the need for COVID-19 prevention and control measures to ensure safety.
He said that all should take responsibility to strengthen prevention services for returned migrant workers and college and secondary school students.
“At this time of the year in the past, I would go to the grassroots to chat with people, see what difficulties they still have, hear what plans they have for the Lunar New Year, and share their joy in welcoming the New Year.
This year, through video links, I can see more places around the country. Separated from the screen, I can still feel the strong atmosphere of the Chinese Lunar New Year across the country, feel the happiness and joy of everyone, and my heart is always with you and with the hearts of people of all ethnic groups across the country.” Xi said.
Xi wished prosperity and health to all officials and local people. He also called for the implementation of all preventive measures and control in all kinds of emergencies.
He stressed that by working together with zeal and courage, the nation could come out of all challenges.
