Premier Wen Jiabao has visited Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Artonomou Region, which has been hit by the worst snowfall in six decades.

 

Wen Jiabao visited Altay and Tacheng areas. He said the Spring Festival, or China's Lunar New Year holiday is drawing near, and the government will implement relief measures to ensure people in the blizzard-hit regions have a happy festival.

Wen Jiabao said the central government would provide more support to affected areas, including relief materials and fodder reserves. The premier also said the government would offer subsidies and provide cheap loans for shepherds, and continue to provide assistance into the spring.

Wen Jiabao also visited people evacuated from the blizzard-hit areas and farmers whose farms have been damaged.

The cold snap has left at least 11 people dead and more than 600 injured.