Chinese Premier calls for scientific rebuilding of quake zone
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Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has called for scientific and organized efforts in the reconstruction of northwest China's quake zone.
Wen made the remarks during his second visit, which ended Sunday, to Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Qinghai Province.
He also 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 quake zone, taking into account the real difficulties of the prefecture and the province.
The major relief work was focusing on treating the injured, ensuring people's livelihoods, restoring public order and accelerating rebuilding, Wen said.
Reconstruction in Yushu should be based on the prefecture's long-term development, and authorities should take protection of the environment, and economic and social advancement, poverty alleviation and livelihood promotion into consideration, he said.
The reconstruction should be carried out with due concern for the prefecture's distinctive ethnic characteristics and geological conditions.
Wen stressed efforts to resettle the survivors with necessary supplies, allowances to the worst affected and treatment for the injured.
Measures on epidemic prevention, infrastructure rebuilding and public order restoration should be intensified, Wen said.
He called for urgent efforts to ensure smooth traffic in the quake zone and the early full recovery of supplies of water and power.
He said 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.
Rebuilding projects should be finished within three years, with a priority on public facilities such as schools and hospitals, Wen said.
Wen also called for efforts to maintain the unity of all ethnic nationalities in the quake zone.
Wen arrived the quake zone at about 2 p.m. Saturday and went straight to a military field hospital.
Wen reviewed the facilities in the hospital and the work of medical staff, and visited some of the injured.
After a two-hour drive, Wen visited Longbao township in Yushu, the epicenter and the worst hit area, for a first-hand insight into the casualties, property losses and resettlement.
"The disaster will eventually fade, but the experiences we have learnt from it will remain," he said.
Wen also visited a local Tibetan Buddhist temple and said the government would help in the rebuilding of the local monasteries.
On Sunday morning, Wen visited schools and encouraged the students to overcome the difficulties with unyielding minds.
He then visited a local water supplier and urged workers to make further efforts to ensure water supplies in the quake zone.
"Yushu, I will be back," Wen said before he left the prefecture.
Wen first visited the quake zone in Yushu on April 15, the second day after the 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck the area.
