Xi stresses high-quality urban renewal in building modernize

SHANGHAI, July 16 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, on Wednesday said that high-quality urban renewal is a vital part of urban modernization during an inspection tour in Shanghai.

Xi stressed the need to fully embrace the people-centered philosophy of urban development and adhere to the principle of understanding the people's needs, soliciting their suggestions, and assessing their evaluation of the effectiveness of urban renewal.

Urban renewal initiatives should be carried out in a thorough, meticulous and effective manner to continuously enhance the people's sense of fulfillment, happiness and security, Xi said.

On Wednesday afternoon, accompanied by Chen Jining, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee, and Gong Zheng, mayor of Shanghai, Xi visited the Shimin Xincun residential community in the Bansongyuan Road Subdistrict of Huangpu District for inspection.

Four residential buildings in the community, originally built in the 1950s, have been renovated and upgraded with separate kitchens and private bathrooms in apartments as well as newly installed elevators, significantly improving residents' living conditions. Xi visited the community service center, where he was briefed on Shanghai's efforts to renovate old residential buildings lacking sanitary facilities, put an end to the long-standing practice of carrying chamber pots in old urban neighborhoods, and renovate residential communities. He also made detailed inquiries with on-site staff about the relevant work.

Xi stressed that the CPC Central Committee attaches great importance to urban development and has pledged to build modernized cities for the people that are innovative, livable, beautiful, resilient, culturally advanced, and smart, with the renovation of old residential communities as an important part of that effort.

In carrying out this work, it is essential to firmly establish and adopt a correct understanding of governance performance, respond to the people's needs and concerns, and formulate and implement effective policies and measures, Xi said.

Xi called for sustained efforts to address the public's concerns step by step and to continuously improve people's well-being. It is necessary to improve property management and convenience services in residential communities with "embroidery-like precision" to ensure residents' satisfaction, he added.

At the home of retired resident Zhu Guoli, Xi looked closely at the living conditions. Zhu told the General Secretary that her apartment now has a separate kitchen and a private bathroom, making life far more convenient. Delighted to hear this, Xi said: "Every detail of the people's lives matters," adding that the well-being of the people is not only a family matter but also a matter of state. The CPC is dedicated to serving the people, and only when the people live in peace and contentment can the Party and the government rest assured. He also expressed the hope that retirees could make the most of retirement and lead even better family lives.

Xi then visited a community service center for Party and public affairs to inspect the supply of fruits and vegetables, and engaged in cordial talks at a "citizens' parlor" with resident representatives, subdistrict officials, and community workers. Stressing communities as basic units of the urban governance system, Xi urged efforts to improve community governance and promote channeling resources, services, and management down to the community level, as well as continuously reduce burdens of community-level officials and work for their empowerment.

Xi called for efforts to further strengthen the leading role of Party-building, actively explore new models for coordinated operation of residents' committees, homeowners' committees, and property service businesses under the leadership of community-level Party organizations, and build well-rounded communities and convenient living circles. All these efforts should serve to wholeheartedly do good deeds for residents, deliver results for their well-being, and address their concerns.

During the inspection tour, Xi emphasized that the country is now in a critical period for flood control. All localities should be prepared for worst-case scenarios and extreme situations, closely monitor rainfall, flood conditions and typhoon developments, conduct thorough and meticulous inspections to identify potential risks, and make solid efforts in flood prevention and control, emergency responses and disaster relief to effectively safeguard people's lives and property.

Accompanying Xi on the inspection tour were Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, and leading officials from relevant departments of central Party and state authorities.