Chinese leaders underline rural vitalization, high-quality development

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, joins a panel discussion with the deputies from Shandong Province at the first session of the 13th National People's Congress in Beijing, capital of China, March 8, 2018. [Photo: Xinhua/Yao Dawei]

Chinese President Xi Jinping highlighted the importance of development in rural areas of the country while speaking with national legislators from Shandong Province in a panel discussion on Thursday.

CRI's Yu Yang has the story.

As Thursday marked International Women's Day, Xi Jinping highlighted the role women have played in China's development and extended greetings to women from all walks of life.

"On this occasion, I, on behalf of the CPC Central Committee, extend my greetings and sincere wishes to all women NPC deputies, CPPCC members and female staff members that took part in the Two Sessions and women of all ethnic groups and from all walks of life across the country."

Stressing the developent of China's rural areas, Xi Jinping said the rural vitalization strategy is the leading agenda for government work on agriculture, rural areas, and rural residents.

He said the quality of a moderately prosperous society and socialist modernization is determined by agricultural competitiveness, rural environments, and rural incomes.

Xi Jinping stressed that officials must form a long-term view of the work at hand.

"We should not only take up the work that can show quick results, but also the work that could only have potential results. We should not only undertake tasks with immediate effects, but also tasks that pave the way for later generations. We should not be concerned about personal gains or fame. What we want is a good reputation not only among the people today, but also a good reputation that will go down in history."

Stressing cultural vitalization in rural areas, Xi Jinping said ideological and moral education as well as public cultural services should be strengthened in the countryside.

He has also stressed the strategic importance of the ocean in China's pursuit of high-quality development, urging progress in the construction of world-class sea ports, a modern maritime industry system, and a green and sustainable marine ecological environment.

For CRI, this is Yu Yang.