Chinese President Hu Jintao has visited low-income families in Beijing ahead of the New Year, as he extends his best wishes to people nationwide.

On Wednesday morning in freezing temperatures, Hu dropped in on the low-rent apartment in east Beijing where Guo Chunping and her 17-year-old daughter live.

Guo, renting the two-bedroom apartment from the government, told the president that thanks to the low-rent housing policy, she and her daughter could finally settle down.

"We did not have a stable place to live for years. Now, living in this apartment, we finally feel at home and safe," she said, "The rent is affordable."

The apartment costs her 77 yuan (US$11.5) per month.

"I am glad to see you two have a good place to live. The Party and the government have always placed great importance on people's livelihoods. We have made efforts and will make more to help needy people," Hu said.

Hu also visited Li Bo and his family. They live in an apartment near Guo.

Governments at all levels must place great importance on government-subsidized housing projects, to provide more affordable residences for low-income people, he said.

The president urged governments to invest more money in such projects.

Governments should also carefully supervise the projects' quality and improve public facilities near the housing projects, he said.

Hu then traveled to a major heating plant in southeastern Beijing.

Heating services are critical for people's daily life, especially during winter ahead of the New Year and Spring Festival, the traditional Chinese new year, Hu said.

He thanked workers at the heating plant for their hard work and devotion to serving the people, expressing hope they will continue to serve.

The president also inspected a farm in an eastern Beijing suburb which supplies 15 million tonnes of vegetables to Beijing markets annually.

He said he hopes the suppliers can increase production and quality with the application of new technology and improved management techniques.

"The city should ensure the sufficient supply of vegetables and keep prices stable," the president said at a meeting with city government officials.

Chinese president Hu Jintao watches the growth of vegetables in a greenhouse at an agricultural science and technology development company, Dec 29, 2010. [Xinhua]