China´s Wen presides quake relief meeting, stressing support, winter supplies

Source: Xinhua | 09-02-2008 08:31

BEIJING, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- Following a fresh 6.1-magnitude quake that jolted southwest China on Saturday, the country's quake relief headquarters held its 25th meeting Monday, vowing to let quake-hit people "live through winter safe and sound".

At the meeting presided over by Premier Wen Jiabao, the headquarters urged to fix and reinforce all buildings in the quake zone and ensure the supply of water and power. It said the infrastructures such as roads and health centers must be done before the end of September.

It said nationwide donations would continue as coats and quilts would be seriously needed in the quake zone as winter came.

The headquarters said the central and local governments would financially support schooling in the quake zone as the new term kicked off and teaching materials were still in shortage.

The central government will also continue to recruit teachers to work there with more income and other benefits.

According to the headquarters, now people in the quake zone had no problem in eating, drinking among other life necessities. No major epidemics were reported and industry and agriculture basically resumed. "The relief work in the previous phase is successful."

The May 12 earthquake killed more than 69,000 people with nearly 18,000 still missing.

Meanwhile, a 6.1-magnitude tremor on Saturday forced the suspension of classes at some primary and middle schools in Sichuan and neighboring Yunnan Province. At least 40 people were killed.

Editor:Xiong Qu