President Xi Jinping visits northeast China's Liaoning ahead of Spring Festival

President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, inspected northeast China's Liaoning Province ahead of the Spring Festival, one of the most important festivals in China.

He visited a cold rolling mill of Bensteel Group in Benxi City on Thursday, where he emphasized that the steel industry is a crucial basic industry for the country and that the real economy is the foundation of the national economy.

Earlier, he visited a food market in Shenyang, the capital city of Liaoning, to check on the market's supplies during the holiday season.

Seeing that the local people had plenty of food for the Chinese New Year, he said he was truly happy that the people are enjoying such good living conditions.

The children, thrilled to see President Xi at the market, eagerly offered him candies. Xi expressed his hope that the people's lives could be as sweet as the candies.

The visit to Liaoning continues a tradition Xi has maintained for 13 consecutive years: visiting people at the primary and grassroots levels ahead of Spring Festival, leaving many heartwarming moments.