In January 2017, President Xi Jinping visited Desheng village in Zhangbei county, Zhangjiakou, Hebei Province. At that time, 212 of 413 households were registered as impoverished households in this village.

At the home of farmer Xu Xuehai, Xi learned that Xu owed more than 40,000 yuan (about $6,200) for heart surgery and could no longer carry out laborious physical work. Xi told him to recuperate well and encouraged him to be optimistic and strong.

Xi also instructed local officials to conduct an in-depth study of poverty inflicted by illness and take timely and effective measures to address the problem.

During this visit, Xi was invited by Xu to fry niangao, a fried rice cake traditionally served during Chinese New Year. Holding chopsticks and a strainer, Xi skillfully put them into a pan of hot oil and turned them upside down.