Chinese premier stresses people's well-being in Spring Festival inspection

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang talks with villagers as he visits impoverished families in Yinghua Village of Zhenlai County in the city of Baicheng, northeast China's Jilin Province, Feb. 12, 2018. Li made an inspection tour in Zhenlai County in the city of Baicheng from Monday to Tuesday. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has stressed efforts to eradicate poverty and improve people's well-being during an inspection in the northeastern Jilin Province ahead of the Spring Festival.

Li made an inspection tour in Zhenlai County in the city of Baicheng from Monday to Tuesday and extended Lunar New Year greetings to the local residents.

The premier acknowledged the progress in social and economic development that has been made in Jilin, calling for more work to be done to revitalize the northeastern rust belt.

When visiting a disadvantaged village, Li talked with rural residents and encouraged them to seek more ways to increase incomes, while demanding authorities to take more targeted poverty relief measures.

E-commerce can make farmers' lives and work more convenient, and better tap the growth potential of consumption, he said.

Li visited a shanty town expected to be renovated, demanding adequate aid to those living in difficulty.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (L) shakes hands with sanitation workers in Zhenlai County in the city of Baicheng, northeast China's Jilin Province, Feb. 12, 2018. Li made an inspection tour in Zhenlai County in the city of Baicheng from Monday to Tuesday. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

He also met migrant workers at a bus station and talked with sanitation workers on the street.

Chinese leaders have made it a tradition to visit ordinary people across the country ahead of Spring Festival, the most important family holiday in the Chinese calendar.

The festival falls on Feb. 16 this year.

Editor: John Li