Xi underscores CPC's people-oriented nature

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, underlined the people-oriented nature of the Party and highlighted the importance of support from the people during an inspection tour of Chenzhou, Hunan province.

Xi, who is also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks on Wednesday as he visited the home of a descendant of Xu Jiexiu, an impoverished woman who offered shelter in November 1934 in Shazhou, a village in Rucheng county, to three female soldiers during the Long March of the Red Army.

The three Red Army soldiers, upon their departure, cut their only quilt in half, leaving one part with Xu in a gesture of kindness.

Over eight decades later, Zhu Xiaohong, Xu's grandson, has managed to shake off poverty, with his family now running catering and restaurant services in the village while he works as a guide at a scenic spot.

"It was with the support of the people that our Party attained its glorious history and achievements. The change in your family also told a story that the Party sticks to its people-oriented nature and honors its words," Xi said while talking with Zhu.

The Party has always remained true to its original aspirations, and the people also see the Party as their own, he said.

As a Party member and a leading Party official, Xi said he also keeps receiving education and getting inspiration to perform his duties well and－together with the 1.4 billion Chinese people and over 90 million Party members－make the country more developed and the people even happier.

While inspecting the village service center, Xi stressed the need to make grassroots-level public services more targeted and better cater to the people's needs.

He also called for better training of grassroots service staff to enhance their awareness and capacity to serve the people.

On Wednesday, the president also visited a primary school in Rucheng county, where fourth-graders shared stories with him they have learned about the Long March.

He told the students that the revolutionary cause must be passed down from one generation to the next, and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation can be realized by today's younger generation.

He compared the students to saplings, saying that they should grow into towering trees of the nation.

Xi said he expected the students to study hard, make progress every day, and be well-prepared to join the socialist cause.

Xinhua contributed to this story.