Premier Li visits village in Inner Mongolia ahead of Spring Festival

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Chinese Premier Li Keqiang visited local people in a village in Ulanqab City in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region on Friday, three days ahead of the Chinese New Year's Eve.

During a visit to villager Zhang Liankui's home, Li asked about the annual income, living standards, education and healthcare conditions of villagers. He said that the government has been endeavoring to lift people out of poverty effectively and quickly.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang visits a village in Ulanqab City, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, February 1, 2019. /Photo via China's State Council Website

Zhang served the premier homegrown grilled potatoes. Li learned that Ulanqab is one of the country's main areas for potato production, and then asked accompanying ministers to increase efforts to optimize agricultural production structure and increase potato yields in a bid to increase local people's income.

Li also visited a local market in Ulanqab. He asked local officials and vendors about food prices and security during the Spring Festival.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang talks to vendors in a market during a visit to Ulanqab City, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, February 1, 2019. /Photo via China's State Council Website

Speaking of a recent tax break policy targeting small and micro firms as well as the employed, Li asked the vendors whether they have benefited from the policy. They told the premier that the amount of taxes they have paid recently are significantly lower than what they used to pay. Li pledged more tax cuts for private businesses.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang talks to local residents during a visit to Ulanqab City, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, February 1, 2019. /Photo via China's State Council Website

In January, the State Council rolled out a new batch of inclusive tax cuts for small and micro businesses, with the goal of saving them a total of 200 billion yuan (about 30 billion U.S. dollars) a year.

The government said the policies will include substantial drops in business income tax rates and a considerable increase in the tax threshold, and more companies will be covered by the favorable policies in the near future.

Li later visited the train station. He got on the train and talked to the passengers heading home for the Spring Festival. Li pledged to continue developing the high-speed rail while ensuring the operation of ordinary trains with more stops and cheaper prices, so as to meet the different needs of the people.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang talks to the passengers heading home for Spring Festival, February 1, 2019. /Photo via China's State Council Website

In a shantytown, Li noted that housing is a rigid demand, and the government and residents need to work jointly to accelerate the transformation of shantytowns. He also instructed accompanying ministers to guarantee the basic living of these residents.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang talks to residents in a shantytown, February 1, 2019. /Photo via China's State Council Website

At his last stop, Li visited a thermoelectric company. There, he hailed the staff for sticking to their posts and providing heating for households in winter.

Li fully recognized the achievements made in the economic and social development in Mongolia. He expected that, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, new achievements would be made in the economy, poverty alleviation and national unity.

(Top image: Chinese Premier Li Keqiang talks to villagers during a trip to a village in Ulanqab City, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, February 1, 2019. /Photo via China's State Council Website)