Li leaves lasting impression on visit to flood-hit area

Wu Guomei, wearing a colorful ethnic dress, said she felt a glow inside despite the chilly weather when Premier Li Keqiang visited her home and inquired about her family on Monday.

Wu, 42, lives in a brick house in Bacha township, Tongjiang city in Heilongjiang province. The township, a major center for the Hezhe ethnic group, was severely damaged in the devastating flood in August.

Floodwater reached more than a meter high in Wu's house.

"My family is safe as we evacuated days before the flood approached the village, but the torrential rain flooded our house and more than 20 hectares of soy in low-lying lands were totally destroyed," Wu said.

Li visited Wu and her husband on Monday during a trip to Heilongjiang to inspect the resettlement of flood-hit residents and the grain harvest.

"The village head told me some government leaders were going to visit. He asked me to dress up and get prepared, but I never expected the premier," Wu said.

Wu, wearing a yellow cotton-padded dress, the typical folk costume of the Hezhe ethnic group, waited at the door on Monday afternoon. Stains left by the floodwater were clearly visible on the outside wall.

"The premier was very considerate. He asked again and again if we had thoroughly checked the safety of the flooded house and whether the heating system was enough to fight the cold," Wu said.

Liu Jinfu, Wu's husband, said his family lost goods and produce worth at least 200,000 yuan ($32,820) during the flood.

When the premier asked what his biggest concern was, Liu said he hopes he can "resume soy planting and get a good harvest" in the upcoming year.

Liu is also planning to fish by drilling holes on the frozen river this winter.

Li visited Tongjiang city and Fuyuan county in Heilongjiang province from Monday to Wednesday. During the trip, he stressed the importance of reform in the development of modern agriculture, and that the reform should be based on the innovation and willingness of farmers themselves.

The Hezhe is one of the smallest ethnic groups in China. The nomadic people live mainly by the Wusuli River in Heilongjiang province.