Chinese President Hu Jintao has extended New Year's greetings to people of disaster stricken regions on the eve of the traditional Lunar New Year while visiting Zhangjiakou in north China's Hebei Province.

Over the past few years, Zhangjiakou City has suffered from serious natural disasters.

The president visited a village and extended his New Year's greetings to the villagers on Wednesday. At farmer Lv Zhanlin's home, Hu Jintao made dumplings with Lv's family and chatted with them.

Hu Jintao says at present, farmers are still leading difficult lives. He promised to keep their hardships in his mind.

The president urged leaders at various levels to help farmers resolve poor living conditions and problems in food production. He also urged government officials to show more concern and offer more help to those facing difficulties.

(CRI January 22, 2004)