国内英语新闻:Chinese President stresses promotion of welfare for senior citizens

BAODING, Hebei, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao Thursday called for efforts to promote welfare for senior citizens and vowed to improve the country's health care system to make medical services more affordable.

Hu made the call during a three-day inspection tour in Baoding City of northern province of Hebei starting on Tuesday, during which he visited orphans, talked to senior citizens and extended festival greetings to local residents.

At a nursing center in Shunping County of Baoding City, Hu offered New Year greetings to senior citizens, orphans and staff of the center.

Hu wished the senior citizens good health and a long life, encouraged orphans to study hard, and thanked the staff for the care given to the aged.

The Communist Party of China (CPC) and the government will make strenuous efforts to improve the welfare of seniors and make sure their difficulties are solved and they have access to better services, Hu said.

When visiting Zhao Helou, a Baoding retiree who has been hospitalized several times and living in difficult circumstances, Hu promised assistance from the Party and the government to help Zhao tide over her problems.

The health care and medical insurance system would be improved in the future to tackle people's difficulties in medical care, Hu promised.

During his visit to Baoding, Hu also inspected drought conditions at wheat fields, joined villagers during New Year celebrations and extended Spring Festival greetings to passengers, station workers and volunteers.

Hu, who is also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, was briefed on the work of Hebei's provincial committee of the CPC and the provincial government during his tour.