Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday extended greetings to working people nationwide ahead of the International Labor Day.

President Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, praised the hard work and dedication of ordinary people in the fight against the COVID-19 epidemic as well as to the development of the Party and the nation.

Noting that this year is the first year of China's 14th Five-Year Plan to embark on fully building a modern socialist country as well as the 100th anniversary of the founding of the CPC, Xi encourages all working people to learn from the model workers and promote honest work and dedication.

The International Labour Day, also known as International Worker's Day or May Day, is observed every year globally to promote and encourage international labor associations.