A special guest did some seasonal shopping at a Guizhou province market on Feb 13 as vendors were gearing up for their big sales push before Spring Festival.

Premier Li Keqiang wished New Year greetings to people at Liping county market, and asked for some shopping advice.

“I’m going to visit some less well-off families in the afternoon and I want to bring some New Year gifts with me. What are the must-haves during the Spring Festival here?” Li asked the vendors at the largest market in the county in the Qiandongnan Miao and Dong autonomous prefecture, the traditional home of the Dong ethnic group. The market, with about 500 booths, is the major grocery provider for 100,000 nearby residents.

Li bought local snacks, including sunflower seeds, puffed rice and fried sticky rice, after strolling down the market aisle. As he was about to leave, Li sent a symbolic gift of a digital weight balance device to the manager of the market, asking him to ensure fair trading.

“There are so many people shopping in your market, so you have to guarantee food safety and ensure an orderly market,” he said.