Leaders of the state and the Communist Party of China (CPC) recently visited a large number of retired leaders and senior officials for the upcoming Spring Festival, the traditional Lunar New Year, which falls on Jan. 22 this year.

On top of the list of the retired leaders were Li Peng, Wan Li, Qiao Shi, Zhu Rongji, Li Ruihuan, Song Ping, Liu Huaqing, Wei Jianxing, Li Lanqing, Rong Yiren, Bo Yibo, and Song Renqiong.

These retired leaders and officials asked President and CPC General Secretary Hu Jintao and other leaders to convey their festival greetings to the whole Party and the people of all ethnicities throughout the country.

(Xinhua News Agency January 19, 2004)