On the first day of the Chinese New Year, the festive spirit filled central Beijing as families gathered in the historic Longfusi Commercial Area. Red lanterns hung above the lively fair, while vendors called out to shoppers buying traditional New Year goods.
This year, President Xi Jinping joined residents at Longfusi, a cultural landmark with nearly 600 years of history. The site was once famous for hosting one of Beijing’s most important temple fairs. After urban renewal, it has regained popularity as a Spring Festival destination.
During his visit, Xi explored craft stalls featuring paper cuttings, clay figurines, and other handmade items. He spoke with shop owners about their businesses and purchased festive foods and traditional cultural products. Growing up in Beijing, Xi recalled visiting Longfusi as a child.
He also interacted warmly with children at the market. Xi encouraged them to focus not only on test scores but also on becoming well-rounded individuals. He urged them to exercise more and stay healthy. After watching a drum performance with local residents, he extended Spring Festival greetings to Chinese people at home and abroad.
Before arriving at Longfusi, Xi visited a nursing home that houses more than 110 seniors, with an average age of 88. He learned about their medical care, rehabilitation programs, and daily activities. Xi stressed that caring for the elderly is a shared responsibility of society and called for better services to ensure seniors live comfortably and with dignity.
At a nearby seniors’ canteen, he met delivery workers having discounted meals before their busy lunch hours. China now has around 84 million people working in new forms of employment, including delivery riders and couriers. Xi praised their contribution to urban life and urged authorities to improve support for them.
Since 2013, Xi has made visiting communities during Spring Festival a tradition. He often speaks with citizens about daily concerns such as healthcare, education, heating, and income. In his recent New Year message, he emphasized that no issue affecting the people is too small.
Under his leadership, China eliminated absolute poverty by 2021 and continues to promote common prosperity. As the country prepares for the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030), the government has reaffirmed its commitment to putting the people first and ensuring that modernization benefits all.
