Premier’s Concerns

HEARTFELT CONCERN: Premier Wen Jiabao commends a Tibetan woman and other earthquake survivors for their resilience on May 1, as he makes his way to Longbao County in Yushu, Qinghai Province. Wen inspected the earthquake-hit region on May 1-2

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao paid his second visit to the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Yushu in northwest China’s Qinghai Province on May 1-2. The prefecture had been severely hit by 7.1-magnitude earthquake on April 14.

Reconstruction in Yushu should be based on the prefecture’s longterm development, and authorities should take into consideration protection of the environment, economic and social advancement, poverty alleviation and the promotion of living standards, he said.

The reconstruction should be performed with proper concern for the prefecture’s distinctive ethnic characteristics and geological conditions.

On April 24, Vice Premier Hui Liangyu said that the relief work in Yushu had entered a new phase,focusing on the reconstruction and resettlement of those who had lost their homes.

At least 2,220 people died and more than 100,000 were left homeless after the earthquake, according to the rescue and relief headquarters.

Wen also said that measures for epidemic prevention, infrastructure reconstruction and public order restoration should also be accelerated.

He called for urgent efforts to ensure smooth traf fi c in the quake zone and the early full recovery of supplies of water and power. The authorities should pay attention to the allocation of agricultural materials and the resumption of trade and business operations to minimize losses and stabilize prices.

Wen urged the relevant authorities to draft a complete postearthquake reconstruction plan as soon as possible.

Reconstruction work should be finished within three years, with a priority on public facilities such as schools and hospitals, he said.

Wen promised that the Central Government would provide the bulk of the funding for reconstruction with more favorable policies in taxation, finance and land-use for the earthquake zone, taking into account the actual difficulties of the prefecture and the province.

Wen first visited the quake zone in Yushu on April 15, the second day after the devastating earthquake struck the area. ■