PLA soldiers: Most active in relief operations

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Source: CCTV.com | 02-05-2008 11:07

The PLA soldiers have been some of the most active members in relief operations around the country.

This team of soldiers will continue to work along the East Lake until after the Spring Festival Holiday. By then everyone hopes sunny weather will have melted the frozen surface and eliminated the potential dangers.

This is not an ordinary Monday morning for a team of 15 soldiers at the Hubei Artillery Reservist Division near Wuhan's East Lake.

Prolonged snow in the city since mid-January has frozen the 33-square-kilometer lake - the largest inner-city lake in China. The scenery may be charming but icy roads and paths are a danger for pedestrians and vehicles. As a measure to prevent accidents this team was dispatched to keep watch along the lake. As they shovel the ice and snow the soldiers pay attention to the safety of visitor warning them to be careful.

24-year-old Hu Ming belongs to this team. He is working hard to help the people of Wuhan, but he has his own worries as well. Hu Ming is from a village in the neighboring province of Hunan – one of the areas hardest hit by this year's adverse weather. He says he's seriously concerned about how his parents and sister are coping with the situation at home. But he is also keen to stress that he is doing worthwhile work here in Wuhan.

Hu Ming said, "Back home my family doesn't have water and electricity. Despite all the difficulties they're facing, they've encouraged me time and again on the phone to work hard and not to worry about them. I feel happy to serve the people and I want to wish my family a very happy New Year."

Thanks to the dedication of these soldiers accidents have been prevented. And residents who were not so lucky received prompt emergency assistance.

Tan Hongbin, Section chief of Hubei Artillery Reservist Division, said, "We have been patrolling the lake for twelve days. We've rescued more than 30 visitors and helped over 15 vehicles out of trouble on the ice. We have also provided food and other necessities to the drivers."

And residents of Wuhan have expressed their appreciation for the hard work of these soldiers.

Local resident Zhang Tao said, "The ice hasn't been this thick for years. I'm deeply moved to see all the troops working in such cold weather. For the past few days, I've seen many news reports about them on TV, and in the newspapers as well. I deeply appreciate their offer to help us out in our time of need.”

This team of soldiers will continue to work along the East Lake until after the Spring Festival Holiday. By then everyone hopes sunny weather will have melted the frozen surface and eliminated the potential dangers.

Editor:Zhang Ning