Chinese Premier, Wen Jiabao, has rushed to Hunan to help direct
disaster relief work in the central Chinese province. Hunan has
suffered an unprecedented cold spell for more than two weeks, with
the heaviest snow falls since 1954.
Premier Wen Jiabao arrived in the city of Changsha, the capital
of Hunan Province, on Tuesday morning.
He flew out of Beijing on Monday night, but had to land at
Tianhe Airport in neighboring Hubei Province because of the bad
weather in Hunan, before completing his journey by train.
During the flight, Wen Jiabao discussed the disaster relief
situation with officials accompanying him.
He said the crisis there means the government can't wait any
longer.
Wen Jiabao said, "What we need mostly is to mobilize people to
clear the ice and snow. It's an important job, whether on the roads
or on the electricity lines. "
After discussing the current situation in Hunan, the Premier
decided immediately to establish disaster-relief headquarters in
Changsha. His aim is to safeguard the supply of electricity, and
the efficient transport of resources such as coal and
petroleum.
Chinese Premier Wen jiabao
(3rd L) listens to an unidentified
official on boarding the special plane flying from Beijing
to
central China's Hunan Province on January 28, 2008. Wen went
to
Hunan Monday for an inspection tour of this snow and ice
stricken province.
Wen Jiabao said, "Our task in Hunan Province is to restore the
electricity supply and rail operations between Changsha and
Shaoguan. If we finish that successfully, it will build up the
confidence of the whole nation in combating the disaster."
Shortly after his arrival in Changsha, Wen Jiabao held meetings
with Hunan officials on how to fight the ice and snow, and how best
to direct disaster relief work.
Wen Jiabao pointed out that the relevant authorities should
spare no efforts to restore the electricity network, and resume
operations on the railways linking China's north and south.
He said the priority for the railway authorities is to ensure
that the transportation of passengers and essential supplies goes
off without a hitch during the Spring Festival period.
(CCTV January 30, 2008)
