Xi in Sichuan: Chinese President visits farmers, cultural relics and college graduates

On Wednesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a visit to southwest China’s Sichuan Province. The president met with local farmers, college students and toured a famous temple with deep roots in Chinese culture. The visit focused on learning local efforts in ensuring food security, cultural and environmental protection as well as the employment situation for college graduates. Xu XInchen has more.

“President Xi Jinping got off right here.”

Wang Yuanwei is a farmer from the village President Xi Jinping visited in Meishan, Sichuan Province. Wang is very proud that the Chinese President visited his farm.

WANG YUANWEI Farmer “It shows that the state is paying great attention to agriculture.”

Wang owns over 200 hectares of farmland. He uses one third as a test field to try out different types of crops.

In the past seven years, Wang’s harvest grew over 30 percent thanks to this method.

WANG YUANWEI Farmer “We test limited quantities of different seeds and crops to screen out those that are unsuitable. That gives us a collection of seeds that suit Meishan’s weather and soil.”

Wang’s village is called Yong Feng, which means “forever harvest.”

It has over 2,000 households, with an average disposable income of 4,100 dollars, ranking fourth in the province. Moreover, Yong Feng has fully achieved industrialized farming, and it is one of top high-standard farmlands in China, demonstrating a sustainable means for future agricultural development.

Inspecting local efforts in ensuring food security was one of many purposes of Xi’s visit.

The Chinese leader has said food security is a top priority for China and the country aims to build one billion Mu, that’s almost 70 million hectares of high-standard farmland.

To improve people’s quality of life through rural revitalization has been a key development strategy from Xi.

Meishan’s famous Sansu Temple also received a visit.

It is not a place to worship gods but the largest and best protected memorial hall for three scholars.

XU XINCHEN Sansu Temple, Meishan “Nearly 1,000 years ago, this was the residence of three notable literature scholars of the Song Dynasty, Su Shi, Su Zhe and Su Xun. These scholars showed great sympathy towards the poor. President Xi has also quoted Su Shi many times. For example, in governing a country, do not make trouble willfully, but do not fear trouble if there is any. Xi’s visit to Meishan not only bolstered confidence among the population but also revived enthusiasm in preserving Chinese historical and cultural heritage.”

Preserving cultural heritage and protecting the environment have been key elements in modern China’s pursuit of sustainability.

President Xi also visited Sanjiangkou, where the Jinsha and Minjiang Rivers converge into the Yangtze, to observe the ecological restoration and protection of the Yangtze River Basin.

“Clear waters and green mountains are as good as mountains of gold and silver.” A famous quote from the Chinese president has been widely passed on in China, showing increasing attention put on green development.

And fittingly at graduation season, Xi found time to speak with students from Yibin University.

In a country of 1.4 billion people, maintaining rapid economic development needs many more talented young people.

Something the Chinese leader definitely cares about.

XI JINPING Chinese President “I am happy to see all you young people taking bigger responsibilities. I think you should all have this sense of career, responsibility, achievement, and work hard for it.”