Premier Wen: Quake not to change pace of economic development

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Source: CCTV.com | 05-21-2008 18:22

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has held a State Council meeting on Tuesday, focusing on rescue and relief work in Sichuan and the economy.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has held a State Council meeting on Tuesday, focusing on rescue and relief work in Sichuan and the economy.

Premier Wen said the 8.0 magnitude earthquake has caused severe damage to the people. Under the direction of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, rescue and relief work is fully underway.

The Premier said currently, the rescue work faces many problems that include: reconstructing roads, transporting supplies to remote areas, preventing disease outbreaks, resuming water, gas, and electricity; shortages in food, water, and clothing for the survivors; and the earthquake left a great number of orphans, elders, and people who need assistance.

Even though the economy is stable and that the disaster will not change the pace of economic development.

He emphasized that rescue work has reached a critical time and will continue with full force. We must work together hand-in-hand and support one another in the rescue work.

We must first: continue to do rescue and relief work with full force, transfer survivors to medical centers as soon as possible, increase disease prevention and sterilization, and make sure the survivors receive the necessities and shelter.

Secondly, restarting production and reconstruction work should be planned as soon as possible and operated at a proper time.

Under the leadership of the State Council, special department should be organized as soon as possible to do the reserch and fomulate the reconstruction blueprint and details of its implementation.

This should be done after fully considering the local geological structure, resources and environment. The government will set up a reconstruction fund, including 10 billion RMB of budget, as well as nationwide donation.

Thirdly, the economic development should be kept stable and rapid as well, especially the agriculture production should be strengthened.

Commodities' price hikes should be curbed and price control should be strongly managed. The transportation of coal, electricity and fuel production should be stably provided.

Meanwhile efforts should be made to keep a stable society. Governments of all levels should reduce the number of conferences and encoourage national frugality, saving more money for the quake-hit zones.

And Premier Wen concluded the meeting saying that under the leadership of the CPC central committee and the government we have confidence that we will conquer all obstacles to successfully fight the disaster.

Editor:Zhang Ning