LANZHOU, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- In the first three days of the Spring Festival, China's Lunar New Year, Chinese President Hu Jintao visited local residents, workers who stuck to their posts in the week-long holidays and needy families in northwestern Gansu Province.

Chinese President Hu Jintao greets local residents at "small West Lake" park of Lanzhou, capital city of Northwest China's Gansu Province February 18, 2007, China's Lunar New Year's Day. In the first three days of the Spring Festival, Hu and other officials visited local residents who stuck to their post during the week-long holidays. [Xinhua]

Chinese President Hu Jintao visits staff of Lanzhou branch of PetroChina who stick their posts February 18, 2007, China's Lunar New Year's Day.[Xinhau]

On the morning of Feb. 18, Hu and other officials visited the "small West Lake" park in the provincial capital Lanzhou City. The park was bustling with people performing the lion dance and yangge dance -- popular rural folk dances, playing endemic opera and displaying traditional home-made handicrafts.

Hu extended New Year's greetings to the crowd in the park and drew a dragon picture together with a pupil there, wishing the nation stronger and more prosperous.

The lunar new year of 2007, which starts on February 18, is also the Year of Pig. To most Chinese, the pig is considered a symbol of wealth and good fortune.

Hu then visited the provincial meteorological bureau, water supply company and Lanzhou branch of PetroChina, extending his regards to the staff staying at posts in holidays.

Farmers were always a group that the President is concerned about most. In the barren countryside of Dingxi City, Hu paid a special visit to local poor farmer Yong Wanbao's family.

Hu chatted with Yong about his life, farmland and incomes. "You might have encountered temporary difficulties. The Party and the government will by all means help you pull through the plight. Your life will surely get better," Hu said.

He urged local governments to follow the scientific concept of development and grasp the opportunities brought about by the state's strategy of developing the vast western areas, so as to improve the local people's living standards and contribute to the building of a harmonious society.