Returned overseas Chinese help with Beichuan school reconstruction

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Almost half of the school's 2,900 students and teachers were killed or are still missing in the rubble of the collapsed school buildings.

The Beichuan Middle School was the first project to be built in the new seat of Beichuan County.

Lin Jun, chairman of All China Fed. of Returned Overseas Chinese, said, "I hope the school becomes a symbol of the care of overseas Chinese, a symbol to show people the resilient spirit during post-quake recovery, and a symbol to encourage students to be confident of the future."

Those building the project say they will strive to build an outstanding school.

Tang Zhicheng, president of China Railway No.2 Engineering Group, said, "We will do our best, to build a safe, good quality and first class middle school. It can withstand earthquake with a magnitude of 8 on the Richer Scale."

The foundation-laying ceremony was brief and practical.

A day before the ceremony, overseas Chinese went to the old site of Beichuan county to remember the victims of the quake. They say they will monitor the reconstruction of the area and will continue to offer their support.

Editor:Zhang Ning