Despite having to attend to numerous affairs every day, Chinese President Xi Jinping indicats the Gulangyu Island always remains in a special place in his heart.

President Xi Jinping (left) meets with Tian Xin, captain of a PLA company stationed on the Gulangyu Island in Xiamen city, Fujian province, Dec 12. [Photo/sunnews.cn]

The President attested to his affection for the popular tourist destination in Xiamen city, Fujian province, by saying the islands are "wonderful" during a meeting with grassroots troop soldiers at an annual session of the 12 National People's Congress in Beijing on March 12.

"I certainly know it (Gulangyu). In fact, I took a role in drawing up one of its development plans before," he told Tian Xin, a captain of a PLA company stationed on the island.

"I've been to your troop before. Are you still based on Gulangyu?" he asked.

The unit was conferred an honorary title of the "Good No.8 PLA Company" by the Central Military Commission in February 1993. Xi, then working in Fuzhou city, made a speech at a commendation conference held by Fujian province later on, calling the troops a role model.

Tian then shed light on the unit's tasks including a fight with water loss and soil erosion and taking part in an afforestation plan in western Fujian. Xi praised their efforts and encouraged the troop to continue to promote the spirit of helpfulness.

Xi is also aware of Gulangyu's commercialization in the past two decades. "It used to be tranquil. But now it is common to see a big crowd," he said.

After Tian briefed the President on the progress of Gulangyu's application for World Cultural Heritage status, Xi made another query about whether the local residents and tourists commute between the Chinese mainland and Gulangyu by different routes to ease traffic pressure. He was satisfied after receiving a positive answer and hearing more about the transportation policies.