Premier Wen urges all-out rescue efforts

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Source: CCTV.com | 05-16-2008 12:01

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao chaired a State Council meeting on rescue operations last night as he traveled by train. He acknowledged that the relief work is a significant task with implications for China nationwide, saying that success depends on the efforts of the entire country.

Premier Wen emphasized that saving people's lives is still the relief effort's top priority.

Wen said the latest reports from local officials indicate that an area of 100,000 square kilometers has been affected by the Wenchuan earthquake -- and that it was even more powerful than the Tangshan earthquake three decades ago. Wen said the quake in Sichuan province was the "most destructive" tremor with the "most wide-spread impact" since New China was founded in 1949. He emphasized that saving people's lives is still the relief effort's top priority.

Premier Wen said, "The relief work still needs confidence, determination, powerful organization, effective work. We strongly believe that with all people behind our work and with the cooperation of the people and the army, the people and the officials, we can work together to make the relief and rescue work a complete success."

The State Council rescue headquarters has decided to form a new water resources group, bringing the total number of earthquake-related work groups to 8. The water resources work group will be in charge of safety for reservoirs, problems caused by the altered course of rivers in the quake area, as well as drinking water and water supplies.

Editor:Zhang Ning