On January 31, the 2024 Sichuan Spring Festival Gathering for Veteran Officials was held in Chengdu. Wang Xiaohui, Secretary of the CPC Sichuan Provincial Committee and Director of the Standing Committee of Sichuan Provincial People's Congress, Huang Qiang, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Sichuan Provincial Committee and Governor of the People's Government of Sichuan Province, Tian Xiangli, Chairman of the CPPCC Sichuan Provincial Committee, and other leaders gathered together with veteran comrades and officials to celebrate the Spring Festival.

Wang Xiaohui delivered a speech at the gathering. On behalf of the CPC Sichuan Provincial Committee, the Sichuan Provincial People's Congress, the People's Government of Sichuan Province, and the Sichuan Committee of the CPPCC, he extended New Year greetings and warm regards to all veteran comrades and officials, retired officials and relevant workers in the province.

Wang Xiaohui stated that veteran comrades and officials are the precious wealth of our Party. The passing years have witnessed their struggles. The glorious history has engraved their immortal contributions. In the remarkable journey of promoting the development and progress of Sichuan, they have stayed committed to their original aspirations and mission, showing deep affection for the mountains and rivers in Sichuan. With loyalty and dedication, they have made significant efforts and played a crucial role in promoting development and improving the well-being of the people, thereby making indispensable contributions across various fronts and areas. Even after retiring from their positions, veteran comrades and officials still demonstrate a strong sense of dedication and responsibility and provide care and support for the work of the CPC Sichuan Provincial Committee and the People's Government of Sichuan Province, as well as Sichuan's reform and development. They actively give play to their remaining energy and make positive contributions, reflecting their boundless loyalty to the cause of our Party and people.

Wang Xiaohui stated that the year 2023 was extraordinary in the history of Sichuan's reform and development. The CPC Sichuan Provincial Committee fully implemented General Secretary Xi Jinping's important instructions on Sichuan's work and the decisions and plans made by the CPC Central Committee, united and led the people of all ethnic groups in the province to work hard and forge ahead, made new significant progress in the cause of governing and revitalizing Sichuan, and created a good start for the building of a modern socialist Sichuan in an all-around way. In this case, Sichuan's development was propelled to stand at a new historical starting point. Over the past year, we have always kept in mind the instructions of our leaders and forged ahead with gratitude, and unswervingly implemented the important instructions of General Secretary Xi Jinping and the decisions and plans of the CPC Central Committee in Sichuan, with the hope of achieving fruitful results. Over the past year, we have spared no effort to boost the economy and promote high-quality development with unwavering determination. As a result, Sichuan's economy has seen steady growth quarter by quarter. Over the past year, we have made steady progress in comprehensively deepening reform and continuously expanding opening up. In the new era, the unique charm of the "Land of Abundance" becomes more prominent. Over the past year, we have effectively ensured the improvement of people's livelihoods and continuously enhanced their well-being, thus increasing people's sense of gain, happiness and security. Over the past year, we have conscientiously implemented the core requirements for Party building in the new era and deepened the full and strict governance over the Party, leading to continuous improvement in the clean and upright political ecosystem throughout the province. These remarkable achievements, which did not come easily, would not have been possible without the strong leadership of General Secretary Xi Jinping and the CPC Central Committee, the scientific guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the concerted efforts and hard work of the whole province, and the care, support and great help from all veteran comrades and officials.

Wang Xiaohui stated that the year 2024 marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and is a key year to achieve the goals and tasks of the 14th Five-Year Plan. Therefore, it is of special significance to ensure smooth work this year. Sichuan has set a target of achieving about 6% economic growth. This is aimed at promoting continuous recovery and improvement of the province's economy, enabling it to play a more significant role as a major economically developed province, and continually advancing and consolidating its strategic role and growth potential in China's overall development. Accomplishing this target requires arduous efforts from all levels of the province, as well as continued support from veteran comrades and officials. We hope that all veteran comrades and officials can continue to leverage their political advantages, experience and prestige while taking care of their well-being and health, offer more suggestions, sound strategies, and forthright admonish regarding the work in Sichuan, and contribute to Sichuan's modernization drive in the new era and the new journey.

According to Wang Xiaohui, veteran officials are important resources for the Party's governance and national development and also a crucial force in advancing the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics. It is our duty to do a good job in serving the veteran officials well. Party committees and governments at all levels throughout the province should perform their duties towards veteran officials with a high sense of political responsibility and enthusiasm in the new situation, fully implement the policies and regulations of the CPC Central Committee, and wholeheartedly help veteran officials solve practical difficulties and problems. We should establish emotional connections with veteran officials, respect them politically, be concerned about their thoughts, take care of them in life, provide spiritual concern to them, and create favorable conditions for them to live a joyful life and play their roles.

At the gathering, Wang Xiaohui, Huang Qiang and Tian Xiangli shook hands and exchanged greetings with veteran comrades and officials. Together, they watched a splendid cultural performance organized and arranged by the Sichuan Provincial Retired Officials Activity Center and other organizations.

Before the gathering, Wang Xiaohui visited some provincial-level veteran comrades who are in Chengdu, extending festive greetings to them and listening to their opinions and suggestions on the work in Sichuan. He also entrusted heads of relevant parties to convey greetings and wishes to other veteran comrades.

Some provincial-level veteran comrades and sub-provincial retired officials in Chengdu, provincial officials, and heads of relevant provincial departments attended the gathering.