President Xi thanks border soldiers for their hard work

Chinese President Xi Jinping visits soldiers on Sanjiao Mountain in Arshaan city, Hinggan League, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, in temperatures of -30 C, on Jan 26, 2014. [Photo/PLA Daily]

Xi paid a visit to a shanty area in the forests of Inner Mongolia.

Premier Li Keqiang visited a social relief center in Ankang, Shaanxi province.

Ahead of the Spring Festival, top Chinese leaders have paid visits to different social groups and extended their best wishes to them.

President Xi Jinping weathered freezing cold, 30 degrees below zero Celsius, visiting border soldiers on A'er mountain in Inner Mongolia. He accompanied soldiers on a patrol of the border and then had lunch with them. Xi thanked the soldiers for their hard work and wished them a happy new year.

After that, Xi paid a visit to a shanty area in the forests of Inner Mongolia. He said the forestry industry is now being transformed and urged the local government to help them build new homes and improve their livelihood.

Meanwhile, Premier Li Keqiang visited a social relief center in Ankang, Shaanxi province. Li extended Lunar New Year greetings to the homeless living in the center. He highlighted the importance of social relief work and asked local governments to do a better job in providing basic welfare to disadvantaged people and ensure they have a shelter during the spring festival.