China vows to normalize life, production in snow-hit areas as early as possible

Source: Xinhua | 02-14-2008 11:20

BEIJING, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- China pledged to normalize life and production in snow-hit provinces as early as possible at an executive meeting here on Wednesday to make arrangements on the issue of rebuilding in these areas.

Reservists of China's People's Liberation Army work to fix  the damaged power transmission tower in Ganzhou, a city of  south China's Jiangxi Province, Feb. 12, 2008. Hundreds of  thousands of PLA servicemen and reservists have been deployed  in the snow-hit areas of south China for disaster relief.  (Xinhua Photo)

Premier Wen Jiabao presided over the executive meeting of the State Council, China's Cabinet.

The meeting marks a turning point of China shifting the focus of its efforts from disaster relief to reconstruction of the badly hit areas.

The State Council spoke highly of the joint efforts made by civilians, troops and police to fight the snow-caused catastrophes.

Currently, transport has returned to normal nationwide and damaged power supply and transmission networks are being repaired. In the affected areas, power supply for residential use has basically been restored, markets are stable and social order has been maintained, according to the meeting.

The meeting warned local governments and departments concerned not to relax as in some areas power supply facilities were yet repaired. In addition, the transport of power-use coal was still difficult, large areas of croplands were completely destroyed and life is very hard for local people.

The State Council asked local authorities to organize manpower, materials and funds to rebuild damaged infrastructure, restore industrial and agricultural production and normalize people's lives as early as possible while trying hard to minimize losses caused by the catastrophe.

According to the meeting, power supply in the affected areas must be completely normalized by the end of March, while transport facilities, telecom networks and radio and TV broadcasting networks must be normalized as quickly as possible.

The State Council also made detailed plans for restoring industrial and agricultural production in the affected areas, including the providing of crop seeds and food to affected farmers and in increasing coal, power and oil shipments to affected areas.