Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, on Tuesday stressed the importance of caring for the elderly and delivery workers during his inspection tour in Beijing ahead of the Spring Festival.
At an elderly care neighborhood in Xicheng District, Xi told residents that the Party Central Committee pays special attention to the elderly and learned about the meal services provided at a community canteen.
Xi's caring greetings and warm blessings deeply inspired everyone present as Tuesday coincided with the traditional Chinese Xiaonian Festival in north China, which marks the start of the countdown to this year's Spring Festival on Feb 17.
"The general secretary has always paid close attention to the elderly's basic necessities of life. Today is the Xiaonian Festival in north China, and his visit to our Xicheng District to care for the elderly truly reflects his strong sense of servicing the people and deep love for the people," said Yang Jing, director of the Civil Affairs Bureau of Xicheng District.
"I was very excited to meet the general secretary and haven't calmed down yet. I reported to the general secretary on some basic information about the canteen. For example, we serve 12 dishes daily, all tailored to the dietary structure and nutritional needs of seniors. The meals are characterized by low content of oil, salt, and sugar, and the food is prepared to be very soft, easy to chew and digestible. The prices range from 4 yuan (about 0.57 U.S. dollars) to 20 yuan. The elderly can have a full meal for just 10 yuan, or a more satisfying meal for 20 yuan," said Yang Xianlu, manager of the community canteen.
Xi also talked with three delivery workers who were taking a break in the canteen, asking about their work and life.
Xi urged Party committees and governments at all levels to care for workers in new forms of employment and provide quality services to support their work, daily life and study.
"The general secretary came over when I was dining at the canteen just now. I felt very excited. We truly felt the Party and the country's care and concern for our work. The government has provided us tailored apartments, where I can live more comfortably with a proper bed and room. We can have better and affordable meals in the canteen which often offered us special discounts. Meanwhile, the rest station here provides a place for us to rest, charge mobile phones, and drink water at any time. As migrant workers living far from our hometown, we can feel the warmth of this city," said Jia Yacan, a deliveryman.
When visiting an apartment complex for seniors in the neighborhood on Tuesday morning, Xi spent time with the elderly and paid special attention to their health checkups and daily life.
"At our Yinling Elderly Care Home, the general secretary was shown around the care station, the activity area and the rooms of the elderly residents, sending blessings to the seniors participating the activities here. He also encouraged us to further improve our services for the elderly," said Cheng Yulan, director of the apartment complex.
The senior residents expressed their joy and fulfillment in their life here with a sense of gratitude and emotional connection to the community.
"I moved in in 2016. Up to now, I have lived there for 10 years altogether. We have all kinds of activities after breakfast in the morning, including Baduanjin exercise (Eight Brocades Qigong) at 08:30, calligraphy, singing and recitation at 09:30," said Zhao Guiyan, a 81-year-old resident.
"The general secretary visited us during the Xiaonian Festival, and his thoughtful care touched us deeply. 'Home is where the heart is,' a famous saying by poet Su Shi, reflects my current life here. I live every day carefree and joyful, like a bird flying freely in the sky or a fish swimming effortlessly in water. My heart is always cheerful and vibrant, like a peony in full bloom," said Yu Suqin, an 87-year-old resident, while showing her Chinese painting work.
"We are now truly well provided for and are settled. We also enjoy our lives. And I think continuing our pursuits is more important. Just as a line goes 'do not complain that the sunset is late, for it still brings a sky full of clouds.' We should show our spirit and vitality," said Wang Guodong, another 81-year-old resident.
"I'm 71, and the oldest resident I serve here is 94. I dedicate myself with joy, and I'm very moved when the general secretary emphasized improving elderly care services and made it more detailed and attentive. I couldn't help but applaud loudly," said An Fengqin, a volunteer at the apartment.
Emphasizing a neighborhood-driven approach rooted in traditional values and governmental support, the authorities reaffirmed their commitment to building a caring, respectful environment for the elderly.
"'Wu Lao Xin Jie' is an adaptation of the concept of 'honoring the elderly as you would honor your own parents,' combined with the sub-district name Xinjiekou. Supported by the Party building coordination committee, it involves nine stores, with the theme of 'the elderly.' Then, a new model of a neighborhood serving the elderly was established," said Yang Jing.
"The general secretary's concern is always in our hearts. We will continue to transform this care and trust into a driving force for fulfilling our duties and working diligently. We remain committed to deepening the construction of the elderly care system, striving to ensure that every senior citizen can enjoy their happy, prosperous, and peaceful twilight years," said Ma Da, secretary of the Party working committee of Xinjiakou Sub-district.
Xi stresses care for the elderly, delivery workers
