Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Friday and Saturday visited the people in east China's Shandong Province and extended Spring Festival greetings to them.
On Friday afternoon, Wen went to Zhujing Village in Tongli Town of Jining City, a underdeveloped region in history, and called on farmer Wang Enxing at his home.
In the home of Zhu Shao'an, another farmer, Wen was pleased to see their kitchen was filled with chicken, fish, meet, eggs and vegetables.
"You will have a lavish feast for the New Year's eve," said the premier.
Then he went to the village's clinic and talked with doctor Dong Longxiang. "We should boost the new rural cooperative medical system so that farmers can afford medical care," he said.
On Saturday morning, Wen visited Guozhuang Village of Heze City, where people of the Hui ethnic group live in compact communities.
At villager Guo Xuchen's home, Wen gave some money to Guo, whose wife has been sick for years and who have financial difficulties in living. He also told the village cadres to take good care of Guo's family.
After that, Wen called on villager Guo Longtao at his home, and asked him if the relations were good between the Han and Hui people in their village.
"The life all people will get better and better with a united and concerted relationship among all ethnic groups," said the premier.
In Wulidun Village, Wen paid a visit to Guo Xiulan, a villager in her eighties who lives on the government's subsidies. He checked Guo's heating, clothing and beddings in fear she would feel cold in winter, and asked the village cadres to make the toilet more convenient for her.
On Saturday noon, Wen visited Niulou Village and dropped in the home of 90-year-old Niu Huiting. On hearing Niu was happy with the abolishment of the agricultural tax, Wen said, "It was an achievement of all the people." The premier also had "jiaozi," traditional Chinese dumpling with meat and vegetable stuffing, with Niu.
Wen also visited the model workers, sanitation workers and residents in two residential communities and inspected a food supermarket in Heze City.