Premier Wen has lunch with steel workers
Li Chenyan, a worker of the Ma"anshan Iron and Steel Group in Anhui province, realized a dream shared by many others on Aug. 11: meet a state leader personally.
As he sat down with his workmates for lunch, he noticed a familiar figure walking towards them. No mistake. It was Premier Wen Jiabao.
"Let"s chat as we eat. Shall we?" Wen said, carrying a portion of meal and taking his seat among the workers.
Wen had just inspected two plants of the group. To have lunch with the workers was an impromptu decision he made, according to people accompanying him.
"What are your biggest concerns?" Wen asked the workers after taking some food.
"Income," said Zhu Zhenxuan, one of the workers.
"That"s a very frank reply. How is your income in these two years?" Wen asked.
"A bit higher than before," said Zhu.
As they chatted along, Wen gave his opinions on the development of the group and the general situation of the steel industry.
"The steel industry as a whole has entered a key period. After having expanded capacity, it now needs to get stronger," said Wen.
He said reform and renovation are necessary to improve product quality and raise economic returns.
The economic growth mode should shift towards an intensive one, he said, and efforts should be made to save energy, cut cost and reduce pollution.
"All this depends on innovation and also on your work," Wen said.
After that, Wen chatted with the workers about housing prices and ways to cover medical costs.
Wen pledged the government will strive to ensure the general public can afford housing and medical care.
The chat concluded with a proposal from Wen. "Let"s take a picture together, shall we?"
"Of course!" The dining hall resounded at the proposal.
"This lunch is unforgettable. The Premier cares about us ordinary workers very much. His feelings are very sincere. We feel very warm in our hearts," said an excited Li Chenyan after the lunch.
As he sat down with his workmates for lunch, he noticed a familiar figure walking towards them. No mistake. It was Premier Wen Jiabao.
"Let"s chat as we eat. Shall we?" Wen said, carrying a portion of meal and taking his seat among the workers.
Wen had just inspected two plants of the group. To have lunch with the workers was an impromptu decision he made, according to people accompanying him.
"What are your biggest concerns?" Wen asked the workers after taking some food.
"Income," said Zhu Zhenxuan, one of the workers.
"That"s a very frank reply. How is your income in these two years?" Wen asked.
"A bit higher than before," said Zhu.
As they chatted along, Wen gave his opinions on the development of the group and the general situation of the steel industry.
"The steel industry as a whole has entered a key period. After having expanded capacity, it now needs to get stronger," said Wen.
He said reform and renovation are necessary to improve product quality and raise economic returns.
The economic growth mode should shift towards an intensive one, he said, and efforts should be made to save energy, cut cost and reduce pollution.
"All this depends on innovation and also on your work," Wen said.
After that, Wen chatted with the workers about housing prices and ways to cover medical costs.
Wen pledged the government will strive to ensure the general public can afford housing and medical care.
The chat concluded with a proposal from Wen. "Let"s take a picture together, shall we?"
"Of course!" The dining hall resounded at the proposal.
"This lunch is unforgettable. The Premier cares about us ordinary workers very much. His feelings are very sincere. We feel very warm in our hearts," said an excited Li Chenyan after the lunch.