Chinese leader Xi Jinping visited areas of northern China that were hit by deadly floods earlier this summer for the first time as southern parts of the nation face torrential downpours.
Xi traveled to Shangzhi, in the northeastern province of Heilongjiang, on Thursday, the official Xinhua News Agency said in a brief report. He visited rice fields and reviewed repairs on homes and infrastructure, it said.
“I am concerned about the disaster-stricken places,” Xi told a group of villagers in a video clip posted on X, the social media site formerly known as Twitter, by the state-backed Global Times newspaper. “In China, when the people encounter difficulties, we want to give play to the superiority of our socialism, that is, when trouble occurs at one spot, help comes from all quarters, and the state gives its full support.”
Xi came in for criticism last month by some people living near the capital who suspected floodwaters were diverted to their areas to protect projects important to the Chinese leader, namely a new airport and city being built near Beijing called Xiong’an.
See: China Official’s Call to Save Xi’s City Angers Flood Victims
The flooding from heavy rains brought by a typhoon killed at least 80 people and prompted Xi to hold a meeting of the seven-member Politburo Standing Committee on Aug. 17 to urge speedy repairs of transport, communications and electricity facilities.
Xi’s visit to the northeast Thursday comes as Hong Kong and the cities near it deal with heavy rains. The former British colony suspended schools on Friday, and the stock market delayed the start of trading.
More: Hong Kong Shuts Down City After Heaviest Rainfall Since 1884
Shenzhen, the southern tech hub, issued its highest alert for heavy rains in some areas. Some train services in the city that’s home to Tencent Holdings Ltd. were halted, and officials started discharging water from a reservoir as it approached its limit.
Nearby Guangzhou and Zhuhai also raised alerts for heavy downpours.
