Villagers' confidence up following report

Li Tongxi, a 76-year-old retired teacher in Xiongan New Area in Hebei province, changed his daily routine on Wednesday because he knew something was going to happen that day that would be significant for him and for his country.

That day saw the opening of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, and General Secretary Xi Jinping's delivery of a report at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The congress is the country's most important political meeting in five years.

Normally, Li would get up at 6 am, go out for a 20-minute run, practice tai chi with other elders in the village of Beiliu in Anxin county and then do some weeding or planting in his garden.