[Focus] First Day of General Secretary Xi's Visit to Hubei

　　First Stop: Yichang—Visiting a Chemical Plant, Touring an Immigrant Village, and Inspecting the Three Gorges Dam

　　Spring returns to the land, and greenery fills Jingchu. On the morning of April 24, 2018, General Secretary Xi Jinping flew directly from Beijing to Yichang, Hubei Province. Upon disembarking, he immediately headed to the Yangtze River shoreline to inspect and investigate the ecological restoration efforts along the river.

　　Two years ago, on January 5, 2016, Xi Jinping convened a symposium in Chongqing to promote the development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt. He emphasized, "At present and for quite some time to come, restoring the ecological environment of the Yangtze River must be given top priority. We must focus on comprehensive protection rather than large-scale development," aiming to ensure that the mother river of the Chinese nation continues to thrive with vitality.

　　In Yichang, the first inspection site is the Xingfa Group's New Materials Industrial Park, located along the Yangtze River shoreline, focusing on addressing the issue of "chemical industry encircling the river."

　　Xingfa Group is the largest fine phosphate chemical enterprise in China. Since 2017, the company has undertaken the dismantling or complete relocation of production facilities located along the river within the park, shut down discharge outlets, and carried out comprehensive greening of the demolished areas.

　　The General Secretary addressed the company employees, emphasizing that the development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt must prioritize joint efforts in ecological protection rather than large-scale development. This does not mean rejecting growth altogether; instead, it underscores the need to first establish clear guidelines, placing ecological restoration at the forefront and safeguarding the mother river of the Chinese nation. We must avoid destructive forms of development. By setting these rules, we can compel industries to undergo transformation and upgrading. Under the premise of upholding ecological conservation, we should develop suitable industries, thereby achieving scientific, orderly, and high-quality development.

　　That afternoon, Xi Jinping drove to Xujia Chong Village in Taipingxi Town, located right next to the Three Gorges Dam, to learn about the changes and development of this resettlement village, as well as its efforts in fostering specialized industries.

　　Several villagers washing clothes in the village told the General Secretary that in the past, they used to wash their clothes by the riverbank. Now, however, the village has built convenient laundry facilities equipped with running tap water and centralized wastewater treatment systems—practices that both respect local customs and promote environmental sustainability. The General Secretary took hold of a traditional laundry stick, bent down slightly, and gave it a few test taps on the clothes, remarking with a smile: "Nowadays, even washing clothes can be eco-friendly and green!" Xi Jinping added, "Seeing everyone leading a good life fills me with joy!"

　　"The first village at the head of the dam—Batao, where I uphold the village rules and covenants, taking the lead in reshaping customs and practices... Clearly displaying our Party members' identities, we spearhead industrial development and deliver high-quality services that warm the hearts of our people... Ai-hai-yeo, ai-ai-hai, ai-hai-yeo, ai-hai-yeo."

　　At the village community service center, Xi Jinping listened with great interest as several village officials sang the "Party Member Covenant," which had been adapted into lyrics set to the local fish drum melody. The General Secretary remarked that the fish drum tune was melodious and the content of the covenant was well-written, making it easy to remember and recite. He emphasized that using forms that resonate with the public helps party members and cadres firmly internalize the Party's principles and disciplinary requirements—this approach is indeed an effective one.

　　He addressed the engineering and technical personnel, saying that he felt deeply pleased and inspired to visit the Three Gorges Dam today. The remarkable achievements our nation has made are, in no small part, a testament to your dedicated contributions. To build a strong country and achieve national rejuvenation, we must rely on our own unwavering determination and relentless efforts. As the saying goes, "The last ten miles of a hundred-mile journey are the hardest." The great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation will not come easily—far from it—through mere celebration or fanfare. Instead, it will require our collective hard work and perseverance. After all, critical national assets and advanced technologies must remain firmly in our own hands. Only through self-reliance can we drive forward the enhancement of our independent innovation capabilities. Consider, for instance, how we embarked upon the construction of the Three Gorges Project: had we solely depended on imports or external assistance, would we have developed the leadership and expertise we enjoy today? By bravely facing challenges head-on and overcoming obstacles, we not only accomplished groundbreaking projects like the Three Gorges Dam but also cultivated a new generation of talented professionals. For this, I am immensely proud of each one of you—and equally proud of our nation's growing capacity to lead. Let us join forces, working together with unity and determination. With over 1.3 billion Chinese hearts united as one, we can surely realize the Chinese Dream and usher in a brighter future for our great nation.