国内英语新闻:Chinese leaders visit retired officials before Chinese New Year

BEIJING, Jan. 31 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao and other Party and state leaders have sent greetings to dozens of retired officials ahead of the Spring Festival, according to the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.

Former President Jiang Zemin and former Premier Li Peng were on the list of those who received either personal visits from leaders or from representatives, said a statement released by the office on Monday.

Hu and the other leaders wished the retired officials good health and long life, said the statement.

This year's Spring Festival, or the Chinese New Year, falls on Feb. 3.