Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang (R front), member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Political Bureau, visits a local family at their newly-built house in Yingxiu Town, the May 12 quake epicenter in southwest China's Sichuan Province, Oct. 26, 2008. Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang visited the May 12 quake-hit area in Sichuan recently to see the progress of the post-quake reconstruction and console the survivors. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    CHENGDU, Oct. 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang urged authorities of southwestern Sichuan Province to ensure the May 12 quake affected residents live through the coming winter safely and speed up reconstruction work.

    Li visited farmers' houses, temporary hospitals, enterprises and construction sites in the province from Saturday to Monday.

Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang (3rd L), member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Political Bureau, visits the Deyang factory of Dongfang Steam Turbine Manufactory in the May 12 quake-hit Deyang City in southwest China's Sichuan Province, Oct. 27, 2008. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    The construction of permanent houses meeting quality and quake-resistant standards should be accelerated to make more residents live in new homes as early as possible, said the vice premier when visiting a farmer's newly completed house in Wenchuan, the epicenter of the 8.0 magnitude quake which left more than 80,000 people dead or missing.

    Li also urged local governments to do earnest work to ensure affected residents had enough food and clothing for winter.

    In addition to residential housing, the restoration and building of schools and hospitals should also be a priority as should their construction as the safest places, Li added.