Hu pledges warmth in quake zone

Source: China Daily | 12-30-2008 09:11

By Hu Yinan (China Daily)

President Hu Jintao wrapped up an airtight two-day inspection tour of quake-ravaged Sichuan province yesterday, showing concern for the survivors and surveying the reconstruction work as winter sets in.

It is the second time Hu visited Sichuan since the May 12 earthquake. His last visit was on May 16, when quake relief work was underway.

The president paid visits to the most-affected areas, including the epicenter in Wenchuan and the counties and townships of Beichuan, Yingxiu and Pingwu. He also inspected relocation sites in the cities of Mianyang, Deyang and Chengdu, and the Aba prefecture.

Hu reassured quake zone residents everything would be OK for the winter.

He told Tian Changgui, a quake victim living in a community of rows of prefabricated houses for 6,500 in Dujiangyan: "The top leadership is very concerned about the people in the quake-affected regions, and worries as to whether you could pull through this winter, and the first New Year after the disaster, safe and sound."

Hu said the government has developed roadmaps for Sichuan's reconstruction, and "although inconveniences persist, they are but temporary difficulties I believe so long as we all strive hard all quake-affected people will have a better living environment".