Xi emphasizes 'putting people first' in governance

"People" has become a key word in Xi's everyday work since he became general secretary of the CPC Central Committee in 2012. He said on various occasions that "the people's desire for a better life is the goal we strive to realize".

'What is people first?' Xi points to how China saves lives at all costs

"What is people first?" President Xi Jinping asked, before offering his own answer when he was talking with lawmakers on Friday.

"So many people worked together to save a single patient. This, in essence, embodies doing whatever it takes (to save lives)," he said.

"We are willing to save lives at all costs. No matter how old the patients are and how serious their conditions have become, we never give up," Xi said.

Xi moved by story of medical workers' devotion

Luo Jie, a National People's Congress deputy from Hubei province, said he was surprised and moved to learn that the story he shared about how local medics went to great lengths to help every COVID-19 patient left a deep impression on President Xi Jinping. It goes to show how important people's lives are in the eyes of Xi, he said.