Chinese soldiers rescue travelers

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Source: CCTV.com | 01-30-2008 12:50

As traffic remains paralyzed and communications cut off, peoples' resolve and determination are not dampened. Chinese soldiers are among the most active members in rescue operations - bringing warmth into the cold blizzard.

Over the past few days, over 100,000 soldiers from the Chinese People''s Liberation Army and the Armed Police Force have been on the roads in Hunan, working non-stop to clear the way for stranded vehicles.

In Hengyang City of Hunan Province, a long-distance coach from Guangzhou was stranded in the middle of a highway interchange. Its 42 passengers were forced to shelter on the bus for three days.

A passenger said, "It's so windy here, the ice is thick, the bus almost overturned."

300 members of the Chinese People's Armed Police Force rushed to the scene. Without de-icing equipment, they were forced to use the simplest tools such as axe and shovel to break the ice into pieces and sweep them to the side of the road.

The bus was freed within an hour, but its battery was dead. The soldiers gave the driver one of their own batteries and directed him to drive from the danger zone.

Over the past few days, over 100,000 soldiers from the Chinese People's Liberation Army and the Armed Police Force have been on the roads in Hunan, working non-stop to clear the way for stranded vehicles.

In neighboring Hubei Province, hundreds of soldiers rushed to deliver winter clothes and other supplies to the worst hit areas, such as Yichang and Xianning.

A soldier said, "I don't feel tired at all. I feel happy and honored to help with the relief work."

After three hours of hard work, all the supplies had been delivered to people in the affected regions by midnight.

Editor:Zhang Ning