Follow Xi's footprints: CGTN reporters in Liangjiahe village

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The northwestern Chinese village of Liangjiahe now stands as the starting point of Chinese President Xi Jinping's long march. That is where he spent seven years of his youth. CGTN reporters traced back to Xi’s "second hometown" in Shaanxi Province during China's Two Sessions to find out how his presidency and thoughts have been shaped.

CGTN Photo

Four decades ago, Xi was sent down to this once poverty-stricken village to experience rural labor as an urban youth in need of "re-education." Caves where he once lived and the surrounding barren mountains suggest the hardship Xi had endured as one of the sent-down youths, which helped forge the kind of persevering leader he is today.

CGTN Photo

Xi's down-to-earth spirit and hardworking personality won the recognition of and compliments from the villagers.

"He loved reading. He read books whenever we were free after we finished our work in the village,” said Shi Chunyang, the former Party secretary of Liangjiahe. In President Xi’s room, classics from all around the world are being displayed.

CGTN Photo

And today, residents of the village still remember how Xi helped build a better Liangjiahe. Following a tour guide we found infrastructures that Xi led villagers to accomplish in the old days, such as the dam for irrigation, and the first methane-generating pit in north Shaanxi Province. His desire to improve the quality of life for people in China made its first step here.

CGTN Photo

Liangjiahe is now seen as the testament to President Xi's commitment to improve peoples' livelihood. On-going poverty alleviation efforts are embodied in this area as CGTN correspondents visit local schools and orchards that enable locals to lead a better life.

CGTN Photo

The backwater village is also being transformed into an attraction for tourists and Party members. Many told us that they would hold on to this spirit of devotion and make contributions on their own positions.

President Xi himself once shared with the world that what has happened in Liangjiahe is but a microcosm of the progress China has made through reform and opening up. CGTN correspondents will continue to bring more about this village in transformation in the next few days.

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