Chinese President pledges all-out rebuilding efforts as concerted relief work continues

YUSHU, Qinghai, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao visited quake-hit Yushu in northwest China's Qinghai Province Sunday, vowing to help victims rebuild their homes as most of them now settle in tents with basic needs met.

Chinese President Hu Jintao(C)speaks to soldiers of the Chinese People's Liberation Army and policemen carrying out relief work at Zhaxike Village of Gyegu Town in  quake-hit Yushu County,northwest China's Qinghai Province, April 18, 2010. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang)

The 7.1-magnitude quake, which struck the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Yushu Wednesday morning, had left at least 1,706 dead, 256 missing and 12,128 injured, as of 10 a.m. Sunday.

THERE WILL BE NEW HOMES

In a morale-raising visit to quake-hit Yushu, Hu assured locals of new homes and schools and steadfast relief work.

"There will be new schools! There will be new homes!" Hu wrote in chalk on a blackboard in a makeshift classroom in a tent of orphaned students.

The president led the students in reading aloud the words he wrote on the blackboard.

The Yushu School for Orphans visited by Hu was the first one to resume classes. A total of 60 primary and middle school students and more than 10 teachers sang the national anthem before classes began at 3:30 p.m. Saturday.

The president also talked to an injured Tibetan man in a medical tent.