Xinfang, which translates as "letters and visits", is a petitioning system unique to China that allows people to lodge complaints with the authorities and seek redress for wrongs, flaws and inefficiencies.

Zhang said, "Although the notice made people realize just how determined and sincere provincial officials were in solving their problems, most of them didn't expect to see Xi in person."

He added that two other notices were placed in Pujiang News on Sept 10 and 15, 2003, informing the public where and when they could meet the officials. To prepare for visits from potentially a large number of people, temporary reception rooms were set up in classrooms at a high school.

As promised, Xi led more than 100 officials from different sectors to Pujiang on Sept 18 that year and launched his innovative reform plan for handling public complaints by encouraging officials to reach out to people and address their concerns.

Jiang Xingjian, owner of a wood processing factory, was the first to meet Xi. He told him urgent repairs were needed to the Pujiang section of Highway S20 (now Highway S210).

"I told Xi that the road, which was built in the 1950s, had become a source of significant traffic safety concerns. It was causing great inconvenience for local people and impeding economic development in mountainous areas. Residents had been complaining about it for many years," Jiang said.

Xi listened carefully, checked the route on a map, and discussed about solutions with a transportation official in the room, Jiang said.