Chinese President inspects relief work in Guilin

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Source: CCTV.com | 02-07-2008 10:18

President Hu Jintao has been busy in the southern city of Guilin in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. He's there to inspect relief work in the city suffering from the snowstorms and to visit the people in the region.

Chinese President Hu Jintao helps soldiers load relief  supplies to a helicopter on Tuesday. (Xinhua Photo)

Guilin city has suffered freezing temperatures and snow since January, with 200 roads blocked, more than 2 million two hundred thousand hectares of crops damaged and over 2 million six hundred thousand people affected.

Hu Jintao met with an air force unit involved in the relief operations. He praised the servicemen for doing their best to combat the disaster and provide support to the people.

The president joined the troops in loading relief supplies into the helicopter.

President Hu Jintao, said, " Now the weather is volatile. You must pay proper attention to your safety while you carry out your mission."

Hu Jintao urged them to do their best for the people.

Hu Jintao said, "You have firmly followed the instructions of the CPC Central Committee and the CPC Military Central Committee, and you have quickly devoted to the relief efforts in disaster-hit areas, making an important contribution to the relief work. You have faithfully fulfilled your responsibility to serve the people. The Party and the people thank you. I hope you will make painstaking efforts and complete the relief task successfully, making new contribution to the final victory of the relief work. "

Hu Jintao then visited the Nancheng supermarket in Guilin to inspect food supplies and prices. He urged local authorities to guarantee sufficient supplies during the Spring festival and keep prices stable. He talked to people in the market about how they were preparing for the festival and exchanged New Year's greetings.

During the fight against the disastrous weather, there have been a number of examples of bravery in facing the challenges and serving the interests of other people. Hu Jintao met some of them.

Hu Jintao said, "Comrades, you have been working hard. Facing such an unprecedented disaster, you actively followed the instructions of the Party and the government and devoted yourselves to disaster-relief efforts. Wherever there is difficulty, you are there. Wherever there is the most danger, you rush there. You have served as leading role models at this crucial time, making an important contribution to the relief efforts. I thank you on behalf of the CPC Central Committee. "

The president encouraged them to keep the high spirit of forging the way ahead with great courage, and continue the fight against the disaster.

Hu Jintao held meetings with local authorities in the evening to discuss the next phase of the relief work.

The next day was Wednesday - the eve of the Spring Festival. Hu Jintao took an early drive to the hardest hit Ziyuan county in Guizhou. During the past week, most of the county was cut off, with no transport, electricity or water. And power has still not been restored.

The President stopped on his way to talk to a group of people clearing ice from the road, and electricians who are working to restore power supplies.

Hu Jintao said, "Today is the eve of Spring Festival, but you still struggle to repair the power lines in such an icy weather. Now the people of the county are desperately waiting for their electricity to be restored. I hope you can make great efforts and overcome all difficulties to restore the power. I thank you again. "