Special report: Strong Earthquake Jolts SW
China
SHIFANG, Sichuan, May 18 (Xinhua) --
Chinese President Hu Jintao on Sunday asked rescuers to use "every available
means" to reach every village affected by the May 12 earthquake in southwest
China.
"We must try every method to send rescuers to every quake-hit village,
instead of just working in towns and cities, since a large number of soldiers
have entered the quake-hit regions," said Hu, while visiting Yinghua township of
Shifang city, Sichuan Province.
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Chinese President Hu Jintao holds a boy, a victim of the Monday's earthquake, in Shifang City, Sichuan Province, Sunday morning to oversee rescue operations. (Xinhua Photo)
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More than 32,000 people have been confirmed dead in the 8.0-magnitude
earthquake hitting northwest Sichuan.
"We must send rescue teams, carrying food and drinking water, to the
worst-hit villages, even on foot, as soon as possible," Hu said, traveling on
bumpy roads to visit one quake-hit villages to another, comforting victims and
encouraging rescuers..
He was surrounded by wailing women when he visited a temporary shelter camp
at Yinghua.
"I know you lost family and property. I share the pain with you," he said.
"We will try every effort to save your people once there is the slightest hope
and possibility."
Hu also hugged an 8-year-old boy when visiting a family in the camp and
told him, "You must learn to be brave and not to surrender to difficulties even
if you are a child. We shall have confidence, courage and strength."
Walking over the rubble of a fertilizer factory building, Hu told the
rescuers working at the site that every trapped person was counting on them and
they should seize every second to work as time was limited.
"I truly believe that the heroic Chinese people will not yield to any difficulty!" he shouted in front of a group of rescuers.
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Chinese President Hu Jintao arrived in Shifang City, Sichuan Province, Sunday morning to oversee rescue operations. (Xinhua Photo)
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Chinese President in Shifang to oversee quake relief
SHIFANG, Sichuan, May 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao arrived in Shifang City, Sichuan Province, Sunday morning to oversee rescue operations.
Hu Jintao arrived in southwestern Sichuan Province Friday morning. He had visited several other places in the province, including Beichuan and Wenchuan, before arriving in Shifang. Full story
Chinese President expresses gratitudes for foreign aid in quake relief
CHENGDU, May 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao Saturday night expressed gratitude to foreign countries and people who have offered aid since a major earthquake struck the country.
"On behalf of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the State Council and the Central Military Commission, I express heartfelt thanks to the foreign governments and international friends that have contributed to our quake-relief work," Hu said. Full story
President Hu renews call to save lives in remote villages
CHENGDU, May 17 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao on Saturday urged rescue teams to reach remote villages that were battered by the strong earthquake in the southwestern Sichuan Province as soon as possible.
Touring Wenchuan County, epicenter of Monday's 7.8-magnitude quake, Hu arrived at Xuankou, one of the three most severely damaged towns in the county, on Saturday morning. Full story
