BEIJING, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) is urging local authorities to regard disaster relief as the "most pressing task" and to make "all-out efforts" to ensure normal production and life in areas hit by unprecedented bad weather this month.

    The call came after a politburo meeting here on Tuesday, chaired by Chinese President Hu Jintao, which studied the effects and damage inflicted by icy rain and snowstorms and made plans for future relief work.

    Most parts of southern China is set to suffer from more inclement weather in the next few days with some provinces facing storms, a statement issued by the meeting said.

    The extreme weather will greatly affect the work and life of residents, especially with regards to transport and energy supply.

    Relevant authorities must "fully realize the severity" of the situation, "take serious responsibility for the people", "rely firmly on the people" and make "all out efforts" on disaster relief to overcome this "formidable task", the statement said.

    The politburo asked local authorities to improve their work in organizing and directing disaster relief, carrying out emergency mechanisms, clarifying job responsibilities, enhancing adjustment on economy operation, transporting coal and oil products, production safety, as well as ensuring social stability.

    "The top priority task at present is to ensure electricity supply and smooth communications and transport by every possible means," the statement said. It urged local authorities to overcome all difficulties to increase coal output and guarantee the supply of coal for power plants.

    "The people's interests should be put first," the statement said.

    The politburo urged local authorities to solve problems for disaster-stricken people and alleviate their sufferings in a timely manner to ensure "a happy and peaceful" Spring Festival. The country's most important family reunion occasion falls on Feb. 7.

    It advocated the spirit that is stated in a Chinese saying, "When one place is in trouble, assistance comes from all squares". It called on all local governments and departments to voluntarily give a helping hand to disaster areas to minimize damage.

Premier Wen rushes to Hunan Province to direct disaster relief work

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (L) speaks by a loudspeaker to the stranded passengers at the Railway Station of Changsha in central China's Hunan Province on Jan. 29, 2008. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (1st L, front) shakes hands with a stranded passenger at the Railway Station of Changsha in central China's Hunan Province on Jan. 29, 2008. Wen Jiabao arrived in Changsha on Tuesday to help direct disaster relief work in the central Chinese province, which had been hit by appalling weather.(Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has rushed to Hunan to help with the central China province's disaster relief work following an unprecedented snowfall.

    Wen flew out of Beijing on Monday night but had to land at Tianhe Airport in neighboring Hubei Province because of the bad weather in Hunan. He then completed his journey by train and arrived in Changsha City, the provincial capital, on Tuesday morning. Full story

China allocates another $13.5 mln to aid snow-hit areas

    BEIJING, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Civil Affairs (MCA) and Ministry of Finance on Tuesday allocated 98 million yuan (13.5 million U.S. dollars) to four rain and snow-hit provinces to help those affected.

    The two ministries have so far provided a total of 126 million yuan in financial aid to six provinces hit hard by icy rain and heavy snow. Full story

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