Leaders´ visits boost morale amid China´s winter-weather crisis

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Member of the Standing Committee of the Politburo of the CPC Central Committee Xi Jinping inspected southern Guizhou province on Thursday.

Xi Jinping, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC  Central Committee's Political Bureau, visits snow-hit Guizhou  Province Firday.(Xinhua Photo)

The province is suffering its worst snow disaster in 50 years, with 57 counties and nearly 2.5million people affected by the extreme weather. Transportation, power supplies, and communication facilities have all been damaged.

Xi heard reports by the provincial government, and discussed with local officials on the best ways to deal with the disaster.

Xi said so far rescue operations are going well in Guizhou, and praised local officials for their job in combating the disaster.

Xi also inspected a local community in Tongren, where he visited people living in one of the province's worst-hit areas. For over 10 days now the area's power, water, and traffic have been disrupted by the winter weather.

Xi said the government must put the people's interest first.

He said it is urgent to restore transportation, power supplies, and communications system as soon as possible, and to minimize losses in agriculture and private properties.

He also urged officials to safeguard the production and transport of coal for power generation.

He called for governments at all levels in the province to solve problems related to weather, so as to ensure a safe and happy Spring Festival for the people.