President Hu Jintao inspects Jiangxi province

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Source: CCTV.com | 01-27-2009 13:04

Pics: President Hu spends first day of Lunar New Year with ordinary people

As the rest of the country celebrated the first day of the Lunar New Year yesterday, Chinese President Hu Jintao was at work.

On Monday, he arrived in Nanchang, capital of east China's Jiangxi province, and shared festival greetings with locals.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (R Front) shakes hands and talks with a passenger at the Nanchang Railway Station in Nanchang, capital of east China's Jiangxi Province, Jan. 26, 2009. Chinese President Hu Jintao visited  railway staff members, China Mobile branch workers and police officers on duty and ordinary people in Nanchang Jan. 26, the first day of the Spring Festival, or  Chinese traditional lunar New Year, to extend his  festival greetings.(Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Nanchang's busy railway station was the first stop on Hu Jintao's inspection tour. In the still packed waiting hall, ticket sales were the top concern for the president.

Hu: "How are ticket sales these days ?"

Sales clerk : "They've been good."

Hu: "Are there any tickets left for the major cities?"

Sales clerk : "Yes, we have some for all of them."

Hu : "You've been working hard. Thank you for your work."

Sales clerk: " Thank you. General Secretary."

The president called on transport staff to ensure safe journeys for the public during the Chinese New Year festival period, when record numbers of people move across China.

Hu Jintao, Chinese President, said, "The travel peak remains a huge task. The pressure will climax again after the festival. Please ensure safety and improve services with careful transport scheduling. And do your best to satisfy every traveler. I wish you all a happy New Year, good health and a happy family."