Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made an inspection tour of the northwestern province of Gansu on Monday.

In the afternoon, Xi visited the Mogao Grottoes, a cultural relic site under major national protection in Dunhuang City, where he inspected the protection and research work of cultural relics, as well as efforts to promote China's great history and fine culture.

Xi also attended a symposium with experts, scholars and representatives from cultural units in the Dunhuang Academy in Dunhuang City during his stay there.

On Tuesday, President Xi arrived at the Jiayuguan Pass in Gansu where he was briefed about the development of the Great Wall along the Hexi Corridor and the historic culture of the ancient structure. 

Dubbed as "China's greatest pass under heaven," the Jiayuguan Pass is the anchor of the westernmost point of the Great Wall. It served as a passageway for armies, merchants and envoys during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

Xi also laid a floral basket at the Monument and Martyrs' Cemetery of the West Route Army of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army in Gaotai County, Zhangye City. Then he visited the Memorial Hall of the West Route Army of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army. 

He also inspected a vocational school in Zhangye City, stressing the importance of developing vocational education. 

When he inspected a horse ranch, the president stressed the ecological protection of the Qilian Mountains. 

"The Qilian Mountains are a vital shield for ecological security in the western part of China," Xi said. "This is a positioning in the national strategy." 

 He also expressed satisfaction with the effectiveness of the preservation work of the Qilian Mountains. 

The president also investigated the ecological relocation conditions in a village in Gulang County.

President Xi also visited a rural community and an afforestation area in northwest China's Gansu Province on Wednesday.

He visited a new community in Gulang County, which is home to rural residents relocated out of ecological concerns, and inquired about their livelihoods and progress on poverty relief.

He also inspected an afforestation program in a desert area of Gansu, where he learned about the latest developments in desertification control and environmental protection.

In the afternoon, Xi arrived in Lanzhou City and went to the project site of Lantie Pumping Station to learn about the situation of Yellow River's regulation and protection, dam reinforcement and flood control engineering construction. 

Soon afterwards, the Chinese president also visited the Duzhe Publishing Corporation for investigation and research. 

Xi: Happiness of people is what CPC pursues

Xi on Wednesday morning visited a rural community in Gulang County, saying the happiness of the people is what the CPC pursues. 
  
In Huanghuatan community, which is home to rural residents relocated from environmentally vulnerable and impoverished areas, Xi visited Li Yingchuan's new home, spruced up with a clean yard and well-equipped kitchen and bath facilities. 
  
Seeing the changes from a picture of Li's former home before the relocation, Xi said he was very delighted at the great progress achieved in people's working and living environments there. 
  
"The CPC serves the people and works for the people. The happiness of the people is what the CPC pursues," Xi stressed.

While visiting an afforestation area in Gulang County, Xi learned about efforts and progress made by the local government and people in desertification control through hard and relentless afforestation work. He called for a spirit of perseverance and sustained efforts in building a beautiful China.  

He took a hoe and participated in local people's sand control work. 
  
Building an ecological civilization must be a major task for China as it has grown rich and is becoming strong, Xi said, calling for a solid "Green Great Wall" to protect the ecological environment.

Xi also visited a primary school in Gulang County. Pupils were playing football on the playground when Xi came. They greeted Xi with cheerfulness and told him that they enjoy learning how to play football, basketball and table tennis, at school. 

Joyfully watching the children playing, Xi said China's football will enjoy wider public participation and stronger support once children in such remote regions play football on a regular basis, and this will surely help Chinese football grow into an elite force in Asia and even a world-class player. 

(With input from Xinhua)

(Cover: Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang City, northwest China's Gansu Province, during his inspection tour, August 19, 2019. /Xinhua Photo)