Premier Li Keqiang visited Qahar Right Wing Front Banner, in the city of Ulaanqab, North China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region, on Feb 1, three days before Lunar New Year eve.

The banner is located in a county deep in poverty in the autonomous region, considered one of the nation’s poorest.

Premier Li chatted with local villagers and learned about their incomes from planting, farming, and outdoor work.

He also asked about their children’s education, care for the elderly and medical care, and checked villagers’ special purchases for Spring Festival.

The Premier then took a group photo with villagers and wished them a happy new year.