BEIJING, Jan. 31 -- Major central government departments have taken prompt
action to help ease economic and transport woes caused by unprecedented
snowstorms in central and eastern China.
The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) is trying to keep
food prices in snow-hit areas under control.
One of the steps it has taken to realize that is exempting trucks carrying
agricultural products from paying road tolls from January 26. Also, it will
offer subsidies to basic food sellers and ensure there is enough reserve in the
market to keep prices down.
The Ministry of Commerce (MOC) is trying to regulate the market and
maintain proper supply of goods in storm-hit regions, a ministry announcement
said.
The MOC is asking commerce departments at various government levels to
inspect the reserve of staple products such as pork, and ensure that they can be
transported to the right places when the need arises.
"In case there's a shortage of certain product, the ministry should use the
local reserve first. Only after that, it can seek from the central reserve," the
MOC says on its website.
The ministry will choose some large-scale manufacturers and retailers to
build a stable supply network and efficient distribution channel. With its
already in-use database for emergency products, the MOC will try to coordinate
with enterprises, and increase the reserve of essentials for immediate use.
Also, it will cooperate with the railways and other transport departments
to ensure that basic necessities such as meat, poultry and vegetables are
transported properly and timely.
And it will regulate the market further before Spring Festival to ensure
that speculators don't raise the prices very high.
The health authorities has pressed 13,910 medical workers in service by Jan
29 to provide vital healthcare assistance to people in areas hit hard by heavy
rain and snow.
The medics have helped about 54,036 people in Anhui, Jiangxi, Hunan, Hubei,
Sichuan, Guizhou provinces, Chongqing municipality, and the Guangxi Zhuang
autonomous region.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) issued an emergency circular yesterday, urging
officials in the disaster-hit areas to further strengthen the supervision on
sanitation to ensure food and water safety.
"The MOH will be in close contact with local health authorities over
healthcare assistance and the response to a possible health crisis to ensure
timely and proper medical help for people in need," the circular says.
It calls for more professional help to treat patients shocked or
traumatized by the unprecedented turn in the weather. To date more than three
million pamphlets on mental health and sanitation have been distributed among
the people.
(Source: China Daily)
China's air force flies winter relief materials to snow-affected areas
BEIJING, Jan. 31 (Xinhua) -- Four Chinese air force Ilyushin II-76 military transport aircraft on Thursday night began flying relief materials to south China areas affected by severe winter weather.
The People's Liberation Army (PLA) on Thursday announced the General Staff Department had ordered the aircraft to carry quilts and winter coats from bases in Xi'an city, Shaanxi Province, and Changzhi city, Shanxi Province to south China. Full story
China fights "war" against havoc caused by snow
BEIJING, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- China is waging all-out war against the disasters caused by heavy snow and rain in the southern provinces, with military forces and police officers getting involved. Full story
Forecaster: China's winter storm to continue
BEIJING, Jan. 30 (Xinhua) -- China's worst winter weather in five decades will continue over the next three days, the China Meteorological Administration (CMA) said on Wednesday.
Heavy snow and sleet has paralyzed transport and coal shipments, and led to travelers cramming railway stations and airports. Power supply has been reduced in almost half of the 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities on the Chinese mainland. Full story
