Special report: Strong Earthquake Jolts SW China

 

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (R) greets President Hu Jintao upon Hu's arrival in Mianyang, a city in quake-hit southwestern Sichuan Province, May 16, 2008. President Hu flew to quake-hit southwestern Sichuan Province Friday morning to console the victims and inspect the rescue and relief work.  (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

by Han Lin, Mo Honge,Yan Zhonghua

   BEIJING, May 21 (Xinhuanet) -- Netizens around the world are deeply moved by the Chinese top leadership in the quake-fighting battles, saying President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao "both deserve the Nobel Peace Prize."

    A netizen, called Jim Doyle from the United States, wrote on a post "like most Americans I feel great sorrow for the families who have lost loved ones in the Sichuan earthquake. The deaths of so many children is tragic, but China is so lucky to have leaders like Hu Jintao and Wen Jiabao. For the work they have done they both deserve the Nobel Peace Prize."

Chinese President Hu Jintao arrived in Shifang City, Sichuan Province, Sunday morning to oversee rescue operations. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    The 8.0-magnitude quake, the most deadly in decades in China, striking Wenchuan County, Sichuan Province, at 14:28 pm on May 12, has killed over 40,075 and affected many parts of the country. 

    Immediately after the earthquake, President Hu ordered all-out efforts to help those affected. On the same day of the quake and the day after, Hu, also General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), presided over two meetings of the Political Bureau Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee, at which he urged governments at all levels to give rescue and relief work top priority. He also called on the army, armed police and paramilitary forces as well as medical personnel to rush to the quake-hit areas as soon as possible.

    Premier Wen Jiabao took off from Beijing on the same day May 12 or, to be exact, little more than two hours after the quake.  By 19:10 pm, he was already at the quake area, directing the rescue effort from the ground. He spent 88 hours with the victims, rescuers and troops under the threat of aftershocks still trembling and rumbling. 

    On May 16, President Hu reached the quake-hit areas to console the victims and inspect the rescue and relief work. Although the "golden relief time" -- generally 72 hours after an earthquake -- had already passed, he insisted, "Saving lives is still the top priority of our work."

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (front) walks past debris during an inspection 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 Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    In the past 10 sad yet encouraging days, netizens have created websites, published posts or written blogs to join the battles. They have extolled the Chinese central government's quick response, good coordination and, most of all, its "human-life-above-all" policy.

    "From the top leadership where president Hu Jintao despite being in the middle of an aftershock encourages the rescuers to continue to try to save lives, to premier Wen Jiabao, who slipped and fell and refused medical treatment, and from the very beginning directed the rescue effort from the ground," a netizen from the United States wrote.

    A netizen, named as Sifu, added: "I am encouraged by the CHINESE leadership at ALL levels because they have a CAN do attitude for the people."

    Netizen "loving everyone" said: "I just watched a segment on CNN about the China earthquake. I was moved by the mobilization of the PLA (Chinese People's Liberation Army) and (Premier) Wen. No matter what our differences are politically, the world sends its love to the Chinese people and our prayers."

    "The Premier's true sense of dedication is not only commendable but should be recorded in the annals of history," agreed Ho Sai Yuen, a netizen from Canada.

    Another netizen, mengzhi, from Australia, said: "The way and speed with which the Chinese leadership has responded to the catastrophe in rapid mobilization of men and material is world class."

    Mengzhi continued, "the unified dedication and unstinting mutual help between the survivors, the rescue workers and the army is a lesson in unity and co-ordination. The Chinese people are impressed, and so is the world at large. Well done China. We salute you and will continue to pray for you. Jiayou (cheer up)."  

President Hu orders rescuers to reach every quake-hit village by "every available means"

    SHIFANG, Sichuan, May 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao on Sunday asked rescuers to use "every available means" to reach every village affected by the May 12 earthquake in southwest China.

    "We must try every method to send rescuers to every quake-hit village, instead of just working in towns and cities, since a large number of soldiers have entered the quake-hit regions," said Hu, while visiting Yinghua township of Shifang city, Sichuan Province. Full story

President Hu renews call to save lives in remote villages

    CHENGDU, May 17 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao on Saturday urged rescue teams to reach remote villages that were battered by the strong earthquake in the southwestern Sichuan Province as soon as possible.

    Touring Wenchuan County, epicenter of Monday's 7.8-magnitude quake, Hu arrived at Xuankou, one of the three most severely damaged towns in the county, on Saturday morning.Full story

    The death toll is estimated at 3,000 to 5,000, with nearly 10,000 injured, in Beichuan, which neighbors the epicenter of the massive quake.Full story

Premier Wen calls for nationwide efforts in rescue, relief

    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. Full story