From catering services for the elderly, to after-school care and the cultural life of residents, these small details in residential housing complexes matter a great deal in President Xi Jinping's heart.
On the afternoon of June 7, Xi visited the Wenting Lane Community in Xining, capital of Northwest China's Qinghai Province, learning about the community-level governance and life of residents. He visited the painting and calligraphy room, canteen, rehabilitation room, dancing room, and reading room.
President Xi Jinping visits a residential apartment complex and watches a singing rehearsal by retirees in Xining, Northwest China's Qinghai Province, on June 7. (Photo: Xinhua)
In the canteen, Xi inquired about food prices and praised the community for the service. According to local media, people older than 60 need to pay only 10 yuan ($1.5) for a meal and people older than 80 pay 7 yuan.
Xi also took time to watch children doing homework and crafts in the complex's "4:30 pm classroom," an after-school care program.
"It's wonderful for children who still have time and energy to come to the community and do something they're interested in," he said.
Xi visits a residential community in Xining, Qinghai Province, on June 7. (Photo: Xinhua)
In the community's dancing room, Xi led a round of applause after watching a retirees' singing rehearsal.
Xi always asks about details, not only at the Wenting Lane Community, but every time he communicates with apartment complex workers and residents.
The questions include "Are you satisfied with the community environment?" and "How is your retirement life?"
"Wherever I visit, I always go to the housing complexes in rural and urban areas, to see how the residents live, what good experience can be learned and promoted, and what problems and troubles need to be solved," said Xi.
Xi cares about community building .
When Xi visited Changshan Huayuan Community in Changchun, Northeast China's Jilin Province, in July 2020, a resident told Xi about the changes in the living complex over the past few years. The resident said that the community was warmer and more beautiful since exterior wall insulation was built. The resident said grass and flowers were planted all around the community, and natural gas, fitness equipment, and clinics were also developed. "Now our sense of happiness is extremely high," said the resident.
Xi has deep thoughts about the significance of housing complexes. He stressed that the "last mile" of urban governance lies in the community. He also compared communities to nerve endings, which help the Party and the government connect with the people and serve them. "The community is the foundation of the grassroots. Only if the foundation is strong can the national building be solid," Xi said.
Xi inspects the development of people-friendly services and the work of grass-roots Party building in Jinyuan Community, Guiyang, Southwest China's Guizhou Province, February 4. (Photo: Xinhua)
"The key to community governance is grass-roots Party organizations and Party members," Xi once said, emphasizing the role of Party organizations in the community. He called on these organizations to enhance people's senses of fulfillment, happiness, and security by resolving residents' worries and problems.
(Translated by Li Ying, edited by Dong Feng and Huang Jingjing; original story of Xuexi Xiaozu, a WeChat account run by People's Daily Overseas Edition)
