Xi stresses poverty eradication goal

President instructs officials to overcome obstacles to improve people's livelihoods

President Xi Jinping instructed officials to overcome the impact of the novel coronavirus outbreak and fulfill this year's poverty eradication goal during an inspection tour that concluded on Thursday.

Local authorities should implement the decisions of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and work hard to stabilize employment, finance, trade, investment and people's expectations, Xi said.

During the four-day visit to Shaanxi province, Xi traveled to nature reserves, impoverished rural areas, communities, schools and businesses, and made a thorough inspection of issues such as environmental protection, poverty reduction in rural areas, and the resumption of work and production.

He required the officials to make efforts to promote employment, improve people's livelihoods, safeguard energy and food security, stabilize the industrial and supply chains, and maintain the normal operation of society.

The novel coronavirus outbreak has brought challenges for this year's goal of building a moderately prosperous society and the elimination of poverty, Xi said while delivering a speech to provincial authorities on Thursday morning.

He encouraged the officials to work hard and contribute more to the fulfillment of the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation.