Xi Jinping inspects SW China's Yunnan Province, urging sustainable growth of cultural, tourism industry

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, emphasized the sustainable, healthy growth of cultural, tourism industry and modern agricultural development when he inspected the city of Lijiang, southwest China's Yunnan Province, on Wednesday afternoon.

While touring the Old Town of Lijiang, Xi stressed that the cultural and tourism industry should follow a path of sustainable and healthy development.

Walking along a stone-paved road, Xi occasionally paused to chat with the crowd.

"The town's culture, scenery and folk traditions are truly captivating," Xi said, adding that the integration of culture and tourism has boosted the economy.

"I wish you all happiness and good health," he said.

While visiting a modern flower industry park in Lijiang, Xi talked with villagers and technicians working there, asking about the flower varieties, market sales and their incomes.

The villagers told Xi that they earned over 4,000 yuan (about $557.46) each month, with incomes exceeding 7,000 yuan during peak seasons. Growing flowers is a truly joyful job, they said.

Xi said with delight: "Your endeavor is thriving and aligns with the development path of modern agriculture. May your lives be as beautiful as flowers."

(With input from Xinhua)