Our reporter, Xu Zhaoqun, is in Yushu County. He witnessed the resumption of classes at a local primary school earlier this afternoon.

Qiang Wei, Party Secretary, Qinghai Province, said, "The earthquake has destroyed many schools and suspended classes for children. But many are eager to return to the classroom.

Yesterday, I saw a little girl sitting in a tent reading her text book. I was deeply moved by the scene. I feel that the party and the government should go all out to ensure they can resume classes.

This primary school is the first to resume classes at a make-shift building erected in just one day. Over the coming two days, more schools will reopen. This also marks a new phase in relief operations, by providing a return to the normality of life."

Qiang Wei, Party Secretary, Qinghai Province, said, "Ethnic Tibetans account for 97 percent of Yushu Prefecture's population. Located on high plateaus, the region is also a poverty-stricken area. Three of China's major rivers all flow from Yushu, making it a fragile area ecologically.

People here have made selfless sacrifices to protect the natural environment. They have suffered greatly from the quake. We should spare no effort to help them recover from their hardships. This includes building new homes and new towns to show that the whole nation is behind them."