SHENYANG: President Xi Jinping extended Spring Festival greetings to all servicemen of the country during his inspection tour to the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Northern Theater Command on Friday.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), expressed sincere regards to service personnel of the PLA and the People’s Armed Police Force, civilian personnel posted in the military, and members of militia and reserve forces, on behalf of the CPC Central Committee and the CMC.
Spring Festival, or Chinese New Year, falls on Jan 29 this year. On Friday morning, Xi met with officers and soldiers of the PLA Northern Theater Command. He then spoke to representatives of troops across the military via video link.
Officers and soldiers of the troops briefed Xi in turn on their combat readiness duties and mission execution status. Xi fully acknowledged their work.
Xi said troops should bolster the enforcement of their combat readiness duties so as to effectively respond to any emergencies and safeguard national security and social stability during the holidays.
Earlier, President Xi Jinping has extended Spring Festival greetings to Chinese people of all ethnic groups, compatriots in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, as well as overseas Chinese during an inspection trip to the northeastern province of Liaoning from Wednesday to Friday. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, wished all Chinese people happiness and health, and the country peace and prosperity in the upcoming Year of the Snake.
The Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival, falls on Jan. 29 this year. It is the most important holiday on the Chinese calendar and an occasion for family reunions.
For more than a decade, Xi, as the Party and the state’s top leader, has made it a tradition to spend time with ordinary people, especially those in difficulties, during the holiday season.
On Wednesday afternoon, Xi made his first stop at Zhujiagou Village, administered by the city of Huludao.
Having suffered severe flooding in August last year, the village launched post-disaster reconstruction and 41 affected households moved into new residences before the start of winter. At the entrance to the village, Xi looked at the affected areas, asking in detail about the summer flooding and the relocation of villagers at that time, as well as the subsequent relief work. He urged local officials to ensure the villagers stay warm throughout the winter.
–The Daily Mail-China Daily news exchange item
