Xi visits cadres, residents in Beijing ahead of Spring Festival

Xi asked for coordinated efforts to promote work in all fields with resolve to complete the mission.

Touring a "hutong," or traditional alley, in central Beijing's Qianmen area, Xi ordered the efforts to protect cultural heritage sites and conserve traditional culture while renovating the city's old areas.

He called for both improving local residents' living conditions and protecting historical and cultural deposits, so that history and modernity will perfectly blend. He stressed specific measures to maintain the original features of hutong areas.

Xi dropped into two courtyards along the hutong, inquiring about the living conditions of local residents after the renovation projects in the neighborhood.

"What the CPC pursues is to make the people's life better," he told the residents, gladly chatting and making dumplings with them.