Villagers recall Xi's poverty-themed visit

FUPING, Hebei, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- For the villagers in one of China's most impoverished regions, a visit by Xi Jinping brought not only relief materials, but more importantly, belief.

During 20-plus hours spanning Saturday and Sunday, Xi, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, traveled more than 700 kilometers, visiting two impoverished villages and held two symposiums with local officials in Fuping County in north China's Hebei Province.

The visit, Xi's second official trip after the 18th CPC National Congress, is seen by the media as pioneering a new CPC leadership aiming to revive the nation through concrete actions.

"The General Secretary knows life here is difficult and he visited us to ask about our situation. He won't let us suffer," said 67-year-old Tang Zongxiu, who lives in Luotuowan, a village in Fuping, classed as "specially impoverished" by the country's standard.

The village, deep in a mountainous area, has a population of 608 and local people's per capita income in 2011 was only about 900 yuan (144 U.S. dollars).

"He came into the house, sat down and didn't care if the place was dirty at all," Tang said.

Recalling Xi's questions about her family's farmland, food supply and livestock, Tang was astonished at the General Secretary's affability when they chatted to each other.

Xi brought cooking oil, flour, quilts and coats to families in the village during his visit.