The People’s Affection of General Secretary: Concerns from the Heart of the Mountains
General Secretary Xi Jinping has emphasized that in the modernization process with Chinese characteristics, the well-being of the people is paramount. All work carried out by the Party and the government is aimed at ensuring the people lead more fulfilling lives. Improving the lives of the people is a matter close to the heart of the General Secretary, and this is highlighted in the special report series “The People’s Affection of General Secretary,” with the episode “Concerns from the Heart of the Mountains” aired on February 27.
In Shibadong Village, Huayuan County, Hunan Province, skilled embroiderers are busy crafting a batch of Miao embroidery brooches. This cultural product, co-designed with the Palace Museum, has become immensely popular.
Shibadong Village is located deep in the Wuling Mountain range and was once a deeply impoverished area. In November 2013, General Secretary Xi Jinping visited the village to meet with the local people, chatting about daily life and discussing development. At that time, Shi Shunlian, the Party branch secretary of Shibadong Village, reported that the annual per capita income was only about 1,600 yuan.
General Secretary Xi Jinping shared that impoverished regions should start from their actual conditions and adapt to local circumstances, thinking clearly about what to plant, what to raise, and how to increase income. He urged the people to explore pathways out of poverty. It was here that Xi first proposed the concept of “targeted poverty alleviation.” Shibadong Village seized on the “targeted” approach, leveraging its local resources to develop its unique industries: collaborating with universities and design firms to create Miao embroidery products, leasing land in neighboring villages to build a kiwi fruit base, and setting up agritourism businesses relying on the area’s natural beauty. Over time, the village developed pillar industries like specialty crops, Miao embroidery, and tourism. By 2017, Shibadong had escaped poverty. By 2024, the village’s collective economy surpassed 6 million yuan, with an annual per capita income reaching 28,000 yuan. Additionally, the village built a comprehensive daycare center and began experimenting with rural elderly care.
Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, General Secretary Xi Jinping has visited 14 of the country’s most impoverished regions. His concerns about how the people are living—whether they have enough to eat, adequate housing, and what challenges remain—are always at the forefront of his mind. From poverty alleviation to rural revitalization, General Secretary Xi has consistently prioritized these issues, personally planning, directing, and promoting initiatives that have driven profound transformations in China’s rural areas. Today, in China, vibrant, livable, and prosperous villages are gradually becoming a reality.
In Huopu Village, Zhaojue County, Sichuan Province, villagers are busy preparing the soil and fertilizing the land in large vegetable greenhouses, getting ready for the new year’s harvest. In the days leading up to the 2018 Chinese New Year, General Secretary Xi Jinping visited the heart of the Daliang Mountains in Zhaojue County, extending the Party’s warm regards to the local ethnic communities. With heartfelt words, he expressed his joy at seeing the improvement in the villagers’ lives.
Following the guidance of the General Secretary, Liangshan has continuously improved rural living conditions, infrastructure, and developed agricultural and livestock industries suited to local ecological conditions, creating an industry development pattern where every county has its own brand, every town has its own industry, and every village has its own products. Today, Liangshan’s agricultural products have reached an annual output value of 19 billion yuan. During the off-season, Huopu villagers serve as volunteer guides, welcoming visitors from across the country.
The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee proposed prioritizing agriculture and rural development and improving the investment mechanisms for rural revitalization. At present, Huopu Village’s village history museum and ethnic restaurants have been completed, and plans are underway to develop a fruit-picking experience park, a planting demonstration zone, and a traditional agricultural product processing experience center.
No matter the distance, the concerns of General Secretary Xi Jinping are always close to his heart. As he has often said, whether it is a family matter, a national issue, or a global concern, ensuring the happiness of the people is of utmost importance. In 2024, China established 40 new industry clusters with competitive advantages, 50 national modern agricultural industry parks, and 200 strong agricultural industry towns. Additionally, 82 regional public brands were incorporated into the cultivation plan for agricultural brands. The country’s grain production reached a historic high of 1.4 trillion jin. On the new journey of comprehensive rural revitalization, the people are full of confidence, continuing to strive forward and, in the depths of the mountains, drawing new pictures of a prosperous life.
Cai Qi Meets the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Delegation
On February 27, Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and Secretary of the Secretariat, met with the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party delegation led by Phankham Viphavanh, a member of the Political Bureau of the LPRP Central Committee, Executive Secretary of the Secretariat, and Vice President of Laos, in Beijing.
Cai Qi stated that since General Secretary Xi Jinping and General Secretary Thongloun Sisoulith jointly signed the new five-year action plan to build a China-Laos community of shared destiny, the bilateral relationship has gained strong momentum. China is willing to work with Laos to maintain high-level exchanges, focus on development cooperation, strengthen the exchange and mutual learning of governance experience, deepen collaboration in multilateral frameworks such as ASEAN and Lancang-Mekong cooperation, and ensure steady progress in building the China-Laos community of shared destiny.
Phankham Viphavanh highly praised the strategic guidance and personal promotion of the relationship between the two parties and countries by the two General Secretaries. He noted that Laos-China relations are at their best in history. The Lao People’s Revolutionary Party is preparing for its 12th Congress and will continue to prioritize advancing the construction of the two countries’ community of shared destiny.
Xinhua Reports Comrade Li Xi’s Work Report at the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Communist Party of China
On February 27, Xinhua News Agency published the work report delivered by Comrade Li Xi at the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Communist Party of China. The report is titled “Further Advancing Party Conduct and Integrity, and the Fight Against Corruption, Providing Strong Safeguards for Advancing Modernization with Chinese Characteristics through Comprehensive and Strict Governance of the Party.” The report summarizes the work of discipline inspection and supervision in 2024 and outlines plans for 2025. It emphasizes that discipline inspection agencies at all levels must be guided by Xi Jinping’s Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, fully implement the spirits of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and the Second and Third Plenary Sessions of the 20th Central Committee, deeply study and implement General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important thoughts on Party building and the Party’s self-revolution, fully understand the decisive significance of the “two establishments” (the leadership of the Party and its core leadership), strengthen the “Four Consciousnesses,” affirm the “Four Self-Confidences,” and uphold the “Two Maintenances.” The report also calls for using a reform-driven spirit and strict standards to govern the Party, ensuring the implementation of political responsibilities in comprehensive strict governance, and deepening the fight against corruption and misconduct. The ultimate goal is to provide robust support for advancing Chinese-style modernization through new achievements in comprehensive and strict governance of the Party.
Building a Solid Foundation for Stable Production and a Bountiful Harvest in Spring
As the weather warms, farmers across the country are seizing the opportunity to actively prepare for spring plowing and management, laying a solid foundation for stable production and a successful harvest.
In Anhui, over 43 million acres of wheat are entering the greening and jointing stages. In Mengcheng County, the local area has deployed 12,000 sets of agricultural machinery and equipment, heavily promoting intelligent agricultural machinery and introducing social organizations to provide contract farming services, making wheat management more precise and efficient.
In Xuchang, Henan Province, multi-spectral drones and other smart devices are being used to calculate the specific water and fertilizer needs of different wheat fields, applying variable fertilization techniques suited to local conditions, saving approximately 15% in costs. In Dangyang, Hubei Province, soil moisture sensors are used to monitor and adjust the wheat seedlings in real-time, guiding farmers in timely field management.
As spring approaches, farmers are busy in the fields. In Ankang, Shaanxi Province, 696,000 acres of potatoes are set to be planted this year. Local farmers are utilizing efficient water-saving irrigation and integrated water and fertilizer management technologies, which have not only improved the potato sprout rate but also reduced planting costs per acre. At the same time, it is the critical period for pest and disease control in rapeseed in southern China. In Xingyi, Guizhou Province, and Qujing, Yunnan Province, agricultural departments are using plant protection drones for timely unified pest control, reducing pest damage to less than 5%, further boosting yield.
Paving the Way for Agricultural Production with Key Inputs
In Jilin, local agricultural cooperatives have united to collectively purchase seeds, fertilizers, and other materials to minimize agricultural input costs. In Heilongjiang Province, efforts are being made to ensure sufficient supplies of materials and cultivate quality seeds, fully preparing for spring sowing.
China Strengthens Support for Private Enterprises in National Major Projects
On February 27, the National Development and Reform Commission announced that in 2024, China will increase its efforts to encourage private enterprises to participate in major national projects by easing market entry, providing financing support, and more.
Currently, China is accelerating the establishment of mechanisms to promote major projects to private capital, introducing a series of projects in key areas such as railways, nuclear power, water conservancy, and new infrastructure to attract private investment.
In Zhejiang, a national-level high-end marine wind power manufacturing cluster is under rapid construction, with private capital accounting for 8% of the project’s shares. In Guangdong, the construction of the first phase of the China General Nuclear Power Group’s Lufeng nuclear power project has begun, with private capital investing 10% in the first four units.
Recently, China has provided land, environmental assessment, and financing support to 312 major private investment projects. Additionally, a cooperative mechanism between investment and loan has shared information about 219,000 private investment projects with financial institutions, leading to loan approvals of over 860 billion yuan.
Looking forward, China will further strengthen the regular issuance of real estate investment trust funds (REITs) for infrastructure projects, promoting market expansion. Currently, the total scale of issued funds has exceeded 170 billion yuan, with nine private investment projects in sectors such as consumer infrastructure and clean energy already listed.
Lithium Battery and Photovoltaic Industries Achieve Double-Digit Growth in 2024
On February 27, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology released data on the performance of the lithium battery and photovoltaic industries in 2024, showing that several economic indicators have achieved double-digit growth. In 2024, China’s lithium battery industry continued its growth trend, with a total output of 1,170 gigawatt-hours (GWh), an increase of 24% compared to the previous year. The total industry value exceeded 1.2 trillion yuan. Driven by the rapid development of new energy vehicles and energy storage industries, the installed capacity of lithium batteries grew by 48%, surpassing 645 GWh.
Simultaneously, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology released data on the photovoltaic industry, which also saw continued growth across key production areas. The production of polysilicon, silicon wafers, solar cells, and modules all increased by more than 10%, with the industry’s total output value maintaining a trillion-yuan scale. In terms of exports, photovoltaic cell and module exports grew by over 40% and 12%, respectively.
Innovation Leads Beijing in Rapidly Developing Future Industries
Beijing continues to propel scientific and technological advancements by establishing innovation platforms and fostering specialized small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), aiming to build itself into a hub for future industries.
Recently, the “Tiangong” humanoid robot, independently developed by Beijing’s Humanoid Robot Innovation Center, achieved significant breakthroughs in several key functions. It smoothly navigated large height differences, completed high-speed running across complex terrains such as sand, snow, and slopes. These accomplishments were made possible by the acceleration provided by a newly established national-level innovation platform.
In line with the principle of “building a platform to solve key issues,” Beijing has explored an “enterprise-led, mechanism-driven” organizational model to effectively translate technological innovation resources into industrial development advantages. To date, Beijing has established 28 new industry innovation platforms and 10 future industry incubation bases in areas such as humanoid robotics, integrated circuits, biomedicine, and intelligent connected vehicles, thus accelerating the cultivation of new productive forces.
As of now, Beijing has nurtured 10,199 specialized SMEs, generating total revenue of approximately 1.15 trillion yuan, contributing to a new stage in the development of an international science and technology innovation center.
National “Two Sessions” Press Center Opens Today
Today (February 27), the National “Two Sessions” Press Center, located at the Media Center in Beijing, officially opened to begin serving journalists covering the sessions.
This year, the press center is equipped with multiple functional areas, including a press briefing hall and interview rooms, which are already fully set up.
Over 3,000 journalists, both domestic and foreign, have registered to cover the sessions, including more than 2,000 domestic reporters and over 1,000 from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and abroad, reflecting a notable increase compared to last year. The press center is fully prepared to provide services to these journalists, offering them electronic versions of key session documents. Additionally, media interview rooms will be set up at the representatives’ and committee members’ accommodations to facilitate interviews.
Stories of Representatives and Committee Members: Li Zheng – Leading Technological Advancements to Enhance Manufacturing Competitiveness
Today’s (February 27) “Stories of Representatives and Committee Members” introduces Li Zheng, a representative of the National People’s Congress (NPC) and R&D Manager at Guangdong Dingtai Robot Technology Co., Ltd.
Li Zheng, a recipient of the National May 1st Labor Medal, has dedicated over 20 years to the field of equipment manufacturing and R&D. He led his team in the development of high-precision micro-drilling equipment that has resolved several core technical challenges within the industry. As a major manufacturing province, Guangdong owns all 31 major categories of manufacturing industries. How to stabilize and strengthen the industrial supply chain for high-quality development has long been Li Zheng’s focus.
At the 2024 National Two Sessions, Li Zheng proposed a suggestion to “accelerate the R&D of high-end numerical control systems and promote the high-quality development of China’s industrial mother machine industry.” His proposal received responses from the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), and other departments. During his research, Li Zheng learned that, with policy support from various national departments, provinces have been intensifying efforts to promote the application and upgrading of industrial mother machine innovations. Guangdong is focusing on industrial clustering, enhancing digital manufacturing capabilities, and promoting technological innovation to support manufacturing development.
Through in-depth research, Li Zheng believes that increased cooperation and collaborative efforts in R&D among enterprises along the industrial chain will generate greater synergy. At this year’s Two Sessions, he plans to propose suggestions on “creating an autonomous and controllable industrial chain and supply chain,” addressing issues such as funding, talent, and intellectual property.
China Announces Seventh Batch of National Martyrs’ Memorial Sites
Today (February 27), the Ministry of Veterans Affairs announced the list of the seventh batch of national martyrs’ memorial sites, which includes 71 locations such as the Black Mountain Blockade Battle Martyrs Cemetery, the Donggu Revolutionary Martyrs Cemetery, and the Red Army Long March Xiangjiang River Campaign Memorial Park. This further strengthens the nationwide network of red education sites. With this addition, China now has a total of 348 national-level martyrs’ memorial sites, covering all provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities.
The Ministry of Veterans Affairs stated that martyrs’ memorial sites are the “red gene bank” of the Party and the nation. The announcement of the seventh batch of sites is not only a heartfelt tribute to the martyrs but also a continuation of the inheritance of red culture.
Domestic News Highlights
Mechanism Supporting Micro and Small Enterprises Secures Over 10 Trillion Yuan in Credit
The latest data from the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission shows that since the launch of the mechanism to support financing for micro and small enterprises in October of last year, over 10 trillion yuan has been granted in credit to these businesses and individual entrepreneurs. Furthermore, the balance of outstanding loans for micro and small enterprises, without requiring repayment of principal, is nearly 7 trillion yuan, helping businesses increase orders and expand markets.
China Saves Over 400 Billion Yuan in Logistics Costs in 2024
According to the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing, China’s logistics costs per 100 yuan of GDP decreased from 14.4 yuan in 2023 to 14.1 yuan in 2024, resulting in savings of over 400 billion yuan. In terms of transportation structure, the share of road freight has decreased, while the shares of air, water, and multimodal transport have increased.
“Union Helps Employment” Initiative Launched for 2025
On February 27, the All-China Federation of Trade Unions launched the 2025 “Union Helps Employment” initiative in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province. The initiative will run throughout the year and is expected to provide no fewer than 5 million job opportunities. Trade unions at all levels will offer job recommendations, training management, school-enterprise cooperation, and employment assistance services to job seekers and employers both online and offline.
2025 World Games Torch “Bamboo Dream” Unveiled
The “Bamboo Dream” torch for the 12th World Games was unveiled in Chengdu on February 27. The torch stands 72 centimeters tall and was designed with inspiration from the Sanxingdui bronze figure of a giant human and incorporates bamboo joint elements. This marks the first torch in the history of the World Games. The 12th World Games will be held in Chengdu from August 7-17, 2025.
China Successfully Launches Siwei Gaojing-1 0304 Satellite
At 3:08 PM on February 27, China successfully launched the Siwei Gaojing-1 0304 satellites into orbit using a Long March 2C rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. The satellites successfully entered their designated orbits, marking a successful mission.
Beijing Eliminates Severe Groundwater Over-exploitation Areas
The Ministry of Water Resources has reported that, according to the 2024 evaluation results, Beijing has successfully cleared the areas of severe groundwater over-exploitation, reducing the area of significant land subsidence by 99%. The groundwater level in the plains area has risen for nine consecutive years, increasing storage by nearly 7 billion cubic meters.
Gansu Province Launches 447 Major Projects with 431.8 Billion Yuan in Investment
On February 27, Gansu province launched 447 major projects with a total investment of 431.8 billion yuan, including 281 projects funded by private enterprises. This year, Gansu plans to focus on industrial upgrades, technological innovation, and energy bases, with 2,835 major projects, each with an investment exceeding 100 million yuan, and a total investment of 2.8 trillion yuan.
Alashankou Railway Port to Handle Over 1,000 China-Europe (Central Asia) Freight Trains in 2025
The Urumqi Railway Bureau announced on February 27 that the Alashankou Railway Port has already handled over 1,000 China-Europe (Central Asia) freight trains in 2025. As of now, there are 123 train routes passing through the Alashankou Railway Port, connecting to 21 countries.
China Delivers Self-Manufactured 8,600-Car Auto Transport Ship
On February 27, China State Shipbuilding Corporation officially delivered an 8,600-car auto transport vessel in Guangzhou. The ship, with 14 levels of car decks, can transport at least 8,600 standard vehicles.
2025 “Taklamakan Desert Defense” Sand Control Efforts Begin
On February 27, Xinjiang launched the 2025 “Taklamakan Desert Defense” sand control campaign. The region is using engineering and photovoltaic sand control methods to strengthen the desert’s “edge-locking” project. By the end of this year, Xinjiang expects to complete the desert reclamation of 7.9 million acres.
Top 10 Cases of Advancing Rule of Law in 2024 Announced
On February 27, the Supreme People’s Court and China Central Television jointly revealed the “Top 10 Cases Advancing the Rule of Law in 2024.” Among the cases are intellectual property infringements related to “new energy vehicle chassis” technology, China’s first civil public interest litigation on “internet trolls,” and a foreign party choosing Chinese law to resolve a ship collision damage dispute.
CMG World Robotics Skills Competition Kicks Off
The CMG World Robotics Skills Competition, including the first-ever Robot Dog Athletics Championship, was launched on February 27 by China Media Group. The competition brings together top global robotics research teams, setting a high professional standard and creating a world-class platform for robot sports, blending science and culture for a grand event.
China’s First Foreign-Funded Tertiary Comprehensive Hospital Opens
Recently, Tianjin Pengruili Hospital, China’s first wholly foreign-funded tertiary comprehensive hospital, opened its doors. The hospital, fully funded by Singapore, offers departments including internal medicine, surgery, orthopedics, cardiology, and oncology, with a combination of insurance, commercial insurance, and out-of-pocket payment options.
International News Highlights
Russia Claims to Regain Control of Two Settlements in Kursk Region; Ukraine Attacks Russian Refinery
On February 26, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced that Russian forces had repelled multiple Ukrainian offensives and launched several counterattacks in the areas of Kharkiv, Avdiivka, and Donetsk. Russian forces reportedly destroyed dozens of Ukrainian tanks, armored vehicles, and self-propelled artillery. Additionally, Russian troops regained control of two settlements in the Kursk region. In response, the Ukrainian military stated that fighting continued in Kursk and other areas, with Ukrainian forces controlling a settlement near Pokrovsk and carrying out an attack on a Russian refinery in Krasnodar Krai.
Ukraine Approves Agreement with the U.S. to Establish a Reconstruction Investment Fund
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced on February 26 that the Ukrainian government had approved an agreement with the United States to establish a Reconstruction Investment Fund. The agreement will see both governments jointly manage the fund, with Ukraine contributing 50% of its future revenues from natural resources. The United States will provide support to the fund through various forms of donations.
According to Ukrainian media reports, the agreement also includes U.S. support for Ukraine’s efforts to secure lasting peace through enhanced security guarantees. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine cannot achieve a genuine ceasefire without receiving security guarantees. He further clarified that the agreement does not involve Ukraine taking on any debt obligations to the U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Zelenskyy would visit the U.S. on February 28 to sign the framework agreement, adding that the U.S. would not provide extensive security guarantees, with Europe expected to take responsibility for this.
European Council President Costa Calls Video Meeting on European Security
On February 26, European Council President Charles Michel convened a video conference with EU member states’ leaders to discuss European security issues. Costa indicated that a decision would be made during an upcoming special European Council meeting on how to further support Ukraine and strengthen Europe’s defense capabilities.
Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov: No Plans to Deploy European Peacekeeping Forces in Ukraine
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov declared on February 26 that Europe continues to provoke conflict by providing military aid to Ukraine, emphasizing that Europe’s policies are outdated and have failed. He stated that Russia has never rejected negotiations regarding the Ukraine issue and urged Europe to cease its falsehoods on the matter. Lavrov stressed that the best assistance Europe can offer is to acknowledge the root causes of the conflict and reiterated that Russia would not consider any proposals to deploy European peacekeeping forces in Ukraine.
Hamas Ready to Negotiate Second Phase of Gaza Ceasefire Agreement; Israel Yet to Respond
On February 27, Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement, announced its readiness to negotiate the second phase of the ceasefire agreement for Gaza. They stated that the only way to secure the release of the remaining Israeli detainees is for Israel to fully comply with the ceasefire agreement. Israel has yet to respond. The first phase of the ceasefire agreement, which took effect on January 19, is set to expire this weekend.
Hamas also reported that following delays by Israel in releasing Palestinian detainees, over 600 Palestinians have been released by Israel. Israeli officials confirmed receiving the bodies of four Israeli detainees handed over by Hamas.
EU to Respond Firmly to U.S. Tariffs on Imports
In response to U.S. President Trump’s statement on February 26 about imposing a 25% tariff on EU imports, European Commission spokesperson Olaf Scholz issued a statement saying that the EU would take decisive and swift action against unreasonable trade barriers that hinder free and fair trade. The EU emphasized its commitment to protecting its consumers and businesses. French government spokespersons also stated on February 27 that the EU would respond to the U.S. tariff decision, stressing that trade wars are not in the interest of any party.
Germany’s Consumer Confidence Index Declines in March
On February 26, German market research firm GfK reported that Germany’s consumer confidence index for March had dropped by 2.1 points compared to the revised figure for February, reaching a negative 24.7 points. This marks a continued downward trend, indicating a further weakening of consumer sentiment. The report attributed the decline to rising prices and economic and political uncertainties in Germany. Experts from GfK noted that consumer confidence in Germany has remained low since mid-2023, with no signs of recovery as of yet.