Premier urges all-out effort

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Source: CCTV.com | 05-17-2008 13:32

Premier Wen Jiabao has chaired a State Council meeting on rescue operations. While traveling by train on Thursday, he acknowledged that the relief work is a significant task, with implications for China nationwide. He also stressed that success, depends on the efforts of the entire country.

Premier Wen Jiabao has chaired a State Council meeting on rescue operations.(Photo: CCTV.com)

Premier Wen Jiabao returned to Beijing Friday morning. He'd remained in Sichuan Province, since Monday, taking the leading role in directing rescue and relief operations.

Thursday was the fourth day after the 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck Wenchuan.

Premier Wen Jibao held a meeting of the State Council rescue headquarters on Thursday night.

He said Monday's earthquake was the most destructive tremor and had the most wide-spread impact since New China's founding in 1949. Wen called on all people of the country to combat the effects of the disaster.

He praised rescue efforts over the past 80 hours, calling them effective and orderly. He said the country has focused its resources on saving lives and disaster relief work for victims, saying the quick response helped reduce casualties to the greatest extent possible.

The premier stressed that saving lives remains the top priority, as long as hopes for survival still exist.

He said the government will continue to stick to its "people-first" policy in its future rescue operations and reconstruction works. He warned relevant authorities to pay special attention to the prevention of an outbreak of disease. He said supplies of food, medicines, and tents must be ensured.