Shantytown renovation has been uppermost in Premier Li Keqiang’s mind since his days as vice-premier and later premier. Witnessing the abject living conditions of shantytown residents he promised to make every effort to move them out.

“There are still about 100 million people living in urban shantytown areas, and many of them in old houses, and China will continuously promote shantytown renovation”, said the Premier.

In Ganzhou city of Jiangxi province, August 2016

Premier Li visited an elderly man’s house in the shantytowns of Ganzhou city, East China’s Jiangxi province, on Aug 22, 2016.

Learning that his whole family has been living in the wooden shack for nearly 100 years, the Premier told a local official to make all-out efforts to help villagers in this area to relocate, even though it will be difficult and funds are limited.

In Taiyuan of Shanxi province, January 2016

After inspecting a shantytown area in Taiyuan of North China’s Shanxi province on Jan 4, 2016, Premier Li said that the government still shoulders heavy responsibilities. The Premier visited the dilapidated one-story house of an old woman in the Xiaobeiguan area and learned that there are more than 80 such areas in Taiyuan.

“You see? Ordinary people are still living in such conditions. China still has a lot to do,” he said to the ministers accompanying him.

“I myself grew up in a shantytown area, so I know your hardship well,” the Premier told the residents. He pledged to the residents that he would let them move into new buildings as soon as possible.

In Guiyang city of Guizhou province, February 2015

Premier Li posted the Chinese character “fu”- which means “good fortune” in Chinese - on the gate of a newly built residential community in Guiyang, capital of Southwest China’s Guizhou province, on Feb 14, 2015.

The community was built to accommodate residents relocated from shantytowns, and Premier Li asked the management to make sure that the community provides a comfortable and convenient living environment for residents.

In Chifeng, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, March 2014

Premier Li visited the home of a shantytown resident in Chifeng, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, March 27, 2014. He said the government will further renovate shantytowns and move residents to high-rise buildings as soon as possible.

In Tianjin, December 2013

Premier Li visited the home of Li Zhongyi at Xiyuzhuang, Tianjin, Dec 27, 2013. As there was little room in her home he sat on her bed where he asked about local people’s living conditions, later visiting other inhabitants.

He told the 77-year-old that the government will ensure that she will move into a house with a kitchen, a bathroom and heating system.

In Baotou, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, February 2013

Li Keqiang, then vice-premier, visited the home of Gao Junping in Baotou, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, on Feb 3, 2013.

When at Gao’s house, the Premier said the government was speeding up shantytown renovation, and hoped they could move and enjoy a better quality of life. He also said that for families in the shantytowns, housing is the top priority, so renovation must be sped up.