Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao greets local
people during an inspection in Muyu Township of Qingchuan County, one of
the worst-hit area of Guangyuan City in southwest China's Sichuan
Province, May 15, 2008. Wen is here to oversee rescue work and visit
survivors.(Xinhua/Tao Ming) Photo Gallery>>>
CHENGDU, May 16 (Xinhua) -- Rescue operation and
disaster relief for victims in the worst earthquake over decades are of top
priority of the nation, and thus require concerted efforts from the whole
country, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said Thursday night.
Monday's 7.8-magnitude earthquake that ravaged
southwestern Sichuan Province and was felt in most parts of the country was the
"most destructive" tremor and had the "most wide-spreading impact" since New
China was founded in 1949, Wen said on a meeting of the rescue headquarters
under the State Council headed by himself.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (L) comforts
local people in Muyu Township, Qingchuan County, southwest China's Sichuan
Province May 15, 2008. Qingchuan County is one of the worst-hit areas in
Sichuan Province. Premier Wen is here to oversee rescue work and visit
survivors. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei) Photo Gallery>>>
It was even more powerful than the Tangshan
earthquake in 1976,Wen said. The catastrophe in northern Hebei Province claimed
about240,000 lives three decades ago.
He hailed the efficiency and order the country has
maintained for the past 80 hours as the country focused its resources on saving
lives and disaster relief work for quake victims.
He said the government will stick to its
"people-first" policy in its future rescue operations and reconstruction works.
A mother deadly cries after knowing her
child lost life in the devastating earthquake in Sichuan Province May 15,
2008. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei) Photo Gallery>>>
"Saving lives is still our top priority, as long as
hope of survival still exists," Wen said, urging that social stability to be
maintained.
He warned relevant authorities to pay special
attention to the prevention of plagues.
He said supplies of food, medicines, and tents must
be ensured.
More than 50,000 people are feared dead in Sichuan
alone after Monday's earthquake, with confirmed death toll in the province
hitting 19,509 by Thursday afternoon.
BEIJING, May 15
(Xinhua) -- Few things other than stories of victims rescued following China's
most deadly earthquake in 32 years would touch the Chinese heart now. But the
emotional Premier Wen Jiabao did. Full Story
BEIJING, May 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao
arrived at Guangyuan City in southwest China's Sichuan Province here Thursday
morning. Wen spent three hours by ship to go to Muyu Township, Qingchuan County,
one of the worst-hit area of Guangyuan City to oversee rescue work and visit
survivors. Full Story
BEIJING, May 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has
ordered the armed forces and civil aviation department to deploy 90 more
helicopters for rescue missions in quake-hit Sichuan province. Full Story
Workers in Jiangsu line to donate for
the victims in the devastating earthquake in Sichuan Province May 15,
2008.(Xinhua Photo) Photo
Gallery>>>
One-year-old Wang Ying sips water while
receiving medical treatment in Hanwang town, Mianzhu City of Sichuan
Province May 14, 2008. Wang survived the quake when she was thrown out of
the window by the powerful quake, and she suffered only bruises on her
face. [asianewsphoto] Photo
Gallery>>>
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao comforts the
wounded child in Mianyang on May 13, 2008. (Xinhua
Photo) Photo
Gallery>>>
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao comforts the
children who lost their relatives in the powerful earthquake in Mianyang
on May 13, 2008. (Xinhua Photo) Photo
Gallery>>>
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (4th R) gave
way to medical workers and soldiers who are carrying an injured girl in
Beichuan County, which neighbors the epicenter of the massive quake in
southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 14, 2008. Wen Jiabao arrived on
Wednesday at Beichuan County, one of the regions worst hit by Monday's
massive earthquake, to oversee the rescue work.(Xinhua Photo) Photo
Gallery>>>
