Premier Wen reiterates saving lives as priority

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Source: CCTV.com | 05-14-2008 12:38

The Chinese Premier also spoke about the ongoing disaster relief efforts at a meeting on Tuesday where he reiterated that saving lives was the main priority.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao inspects the rescue  work at Beichuan County, which neighbors the  epicenter of the Monday's 7.8 magnitude earthquake,  southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 14, 2008.  Wen arrived at Beichuan to oversee the rescue work  in Sichuan Province.(Xinhua Photo)

Wen made the remarks at a meeting of the disaster relief headquarters under the State Council. He urged the departments to seize opportunities to rescue people, reduce casualties, and unblock roads to the quake-hit areas as soon as possible.

He said transportation, electricity, communications and water supply should be resumed to ensure the disaster relief work continues successfully. He said resuming transportation is the key.

He also asked the health department to assign 3,000 medical staff to Sichuan as soon as possible. More than 20,000 soldiers and armed policemen have arrived in Sichuan and another 20,000 will arrive on Wednesday. The airforce's 18 helicopters dropped 12 and a half tons of foods and other relief materials on Tuesday.

The Chinese International Rescue Team and local rescue teams have arrived at quake-hit areas and freed people trapped by the rubble. On Tuesday afternoon, Wen Jiabao visited Deyang and Mianyang cities, where he encouraged people to confront the disaster bravely and overcome the hardships together.

The Chinese Premier urged relative departments to make proper arrangements for the victims, and send food, tents, medical staff and medicine to them as soon as possible.

Editor:Zhang Ning