Xi urges economic, military reforms, green development
February 4, 2016, 5:53 am

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, extends holiday greetings to villagers while visiting Shenshan Village in Jinggangshan, east China’s Jiangxi Province, Feb. 2, 2016 [Xinhua]

Xi is also the chairman of China’s Central Military Commission (CMC).

Chinese leaders traditionally visit outlying urban and rural areas ahead of the holiday.

In Jiangxi, Xi said that backward production facilities should be shut and resources focused on new industries.

“We are committed to supporting development of the old revolutionary base areas and making your life better day by day. Not a single family living in poverty is to be left behind on our path to combating poverty,” he told villagers.

Xi visited villages, businesses, schools, community groups as well as revolutionary base museums in Jiangxi, extending holiday greetings to Chinese citizens.

He asked provincial officials to implement “the newly identified development concepts — innovation, coordination, green development, opening up and sharing, as well as to deliver structural reform on the supply side and industrial upgrades”.

He stressed that local governments must “protect the environment and strike a balance between economic growth and conservation”.

Xi urged Jiangxi to make reforms, innovation and entrepreneurship engines for its development as the country’s economy has entered a “new normal” featuring slower growth.

The Communist Party “serves Chinese people wholeheartedly” Xi told residents of Shenshan, a poverty-stricken village in Jinggangshan City.

The Communist Party has ruled the country since 1949.

Xi also visited former residences of late Chinese leader Mao Zedong and Zhu De.

“The Chinese nation is a nation that worships heroes, makes heroes and has numerous heroes in its history. The spirit of heroes still exists in the age of peace. We must uphold the spirit of heroes, who sacrificed their lives for the Party, the country as well as the Chinese people,” Xi said.

Xi stressed that Jinggangshan is regarded as the cradle of the Chinese Communist revolution and the Jinggangshan Spirit is the greatest legacy that the city’s history has passed on to today’s generation.

“We must carry forward the Jinggangshan Spirit in modern context,” said Xi.

President Xi has led a major anti-corruption campaign since taking office three years ago.

He has previously warned of unrest if corruption and perceived privilege within the Communist Party are not tackled.

TBP and Agencies