Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, has extended festive greetings to Chinese people days ahead of Spring Festival, reaffirming the Party and government's pledge to put the people first and serve as a strong pillar of support for the people.

Xi, who is also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, traveled to Liaoning province from Wednesday to Friday to convey warm messages to ordinary households, a tradition long upheld by the nation's leaders.

His trip took him to Huludao, Shenyang, the provincial capital, and Benxi, a traditional steelmaking hub, during which he visited rural households, a market, a community and a State-owned enterprise. Liaoning, the only coastal province in Northeast China, has long been one of the nation's most important industrial bases and sources of agricultural supply.

It took Xi a journey of about one hour to arrive in Zhujiagou, a village that saw most of its 51 homes destroyed during devastating flooding in August. He learned about the relocation of villagers and the reconstruction of damaged homes, before visiting two families, inspecting their newly built houses and inquiring about their preparations for the Chinese New Year, which falls this year on Wednesday.

"Last year, this area was hit hard by severe flooding, and I have been deeply concerned ever since," Xi told the villagers.

"Coming here now, I feel a sense of relief. From disaster response and rescue to post-disaster reconstruction, the work has been carried out remarkably well. I am confident that all disaster-affected areas will achieve positive results in their rebuilding efforts."

He assured the people that the Party and the government will remain their backbone during their most difficult times. "We will definitely help you get through difficult periods and rebuild your homes," he said.

Xi then learned about the supply of foodstuffs for the upcoming Spring Festival at a market in Shenyang, where he stressed the importance of ensuring the secure supply of vegetables, grain and fruits.

He also visited a renovated neighborhood, and spoke with a four-generation family all living under one roof. The nation's ongoing urban renewal drive must be tailored to local conditions and integrated with community development, he pointed out, adding that particular attention must be given to the care and well-being of the elderly and children.

During a trip to a cold rolling mill of Ansteel Group Corp Ltd, one of China's largest steelmakers, the general secretary called for efforts to upgrade the manufacturing sector toward a direction of high-end, intelligent and green development and to keep increasing the level of science and technology embedded in products.

After hearing work reports from provincial officials on Friday, Xi encouraged Liaoning to secure new breakthroughs and take the lead in the national strategy of comprehensively revitalizing the nation's Northeast, comprising Liaoning, Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces and part of the Inner Mongolia autonomous region.

Liaoning, with its sound industrial system, should coordinate efforts to transform and upgrade traditional sectors and spawn strategic emerging sectors, he said.

He called for steps to keep elevating the core competitiveness of traditional sectors while developing new quality productive forces in alignment with local conditions.

According to provincial authorities, the GDP of Liaoning grew by 5.1 percent year-on-year in 2024, marking the second consecutive year that the province's economic growth has been higher than the national average.

The heavier the development task, the greater emphasis must be given to ecological and environmental protection to achieve an all-encompassing green transformation, Xi told the officials.

The general secretary then highlighted reform and opening-up as a fundamental impetus to drive the revitalization of Northeast China, saying that more measures must be taken to build a law-based government and optimize the business environment.

With the nation opening its doors even wider, officials must improve their capabilities to think, make decisions and implement strategies under the conditions of an increasingly open economy, he pointed out.

With Spring Festival approaching, Xi called for authorities at all levels to strengthen support for disadvantaged groups, ensure a smooth transportation system during the Spring Festival travel rush, guarantee market supply, and diversify the cultural life of the people.

xuwei@chinadaily.com.cn