Villagers recall Xi's poverty-themed visit (3)

While the leadership learned more about people's hardships, local officials were also made aware what the central authorities required them to do.

During Sunday's symposium held in Gujiatai, Xi urged local Party and government authorities to find the right way to get people out of poverty by adjusting policies in a scientific manner.

Xi said policies designed to support agriculture, rural areas and farmers and alleviate poverty must be implemented fully, calling the embezzlement of poverty-alleviation funds an "intolerable crime."

In a campaign, which began in 2012, more than 15,000 officials were sent to 5,000 impoverished villages in Hebei to help people out of poverty. During the next two years, another 5,000 villages will have their own officials focusing on poverty relief work.

Xi expressed the hope that Gujiatai will become a well-constructed village with increased incomes as well as adequate cultural resources.

"The general secretary wants us to be rich, and we also want it. With this common hope, we will," said villager Feng Haihua.