President Hu Jintao visits Tianjin ahead of New Year

President Hu Jintao also went to Tianjin earlier on Monday, spending the last day of the year with local people. He paid visits to low-income families and senior citizens, and also toured a local market. Hu Jintao says the central government has made improving people's living standards a high priority for 2008.

Hu Jintao's trip on New Year's Eve was all about displaying the government's care for the poor.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (L2) talks with local residents during his visit in the Hedong District of Tianjin, north China, on Dec. 31, 2007.(Xinhua Photo)

His first stop in Tianjin was this community. Built by the municipal government, it's one of four offering low rental housing to low income families.

This compound has a total of nearly 900 apartments. So far, more than 700 have been rented to the needy.

Hu Jintao talked with residents, listening to their personal stories relating to rental policies, as well as pension and medicare schemes. The president also asked about any problems the people and the local government are facing in implementing the policies. He says the most urgent task for city officials is to solve issues that are directly related to the interests of the people. And also to work to improve their living standards.

Hu Jintao also paid visits to some individual families.

The owner of this house is surnamed Gao. He has a family of four. They used to live in a house comprising only 9 square meters. Now they've moved to this new building. Hu Jintao discussed the low rental policies with them. He was happy to know that it only costs the family one yuan a month per square meter.

"The party and the government pay a lot of attention to the housing problems facing low income families. The central government has taken measures to improve the low-rent housing system, to help low income families have their own place to live, and improve your living conditions. After hearing that you now benefit from pension and health care policies and seeing you move into this low-rent apartment which has greatly improved your living conditions, I'm very happy. I know your family still has difficulties. But I'm confident with the help of the party and the government, your life will become better. The government is a people's government. Doing things for its people is the due responsibility of the government. "

Tianjin's Help Center for Workers in Difficulty was founded in 2002. It was the first of its kind in the country. In the five years since it opened, it has helped nearly 400 thousand workers.

Hu Jintao asked laid-off workers and migrant workers about their problems and how the center had helped them. He also asked about prices in the supermarket for needy workers.

Staff said most of goods were charity donations and they cost much less than the market price. Workers with financial problems can use special coupons to get discounts.

Hu Jintao said that the center is a remarkable innovation, showing the government and society's care for those who need help. He said he hopes the center will continue to care for the workers.