In 1988, while serving as Party Secretary of Ningde Prefecture in Fujian Province, Xi Jinping spearheaded an influential initiative. By encouraging officials to listen to the concerns of locals and respond effectively to their needs, he brought governance closer to the grassroots. Over the following decades and throughout his political career, he has continued to support and uphold these practices.

This people-centered governance philosophy is still being carried forward and refined across China today.