HANGZHOU -- Entrusted by Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao,
Vice Premier Hui Liangyu on Sunday urged local governments to exert efforts to
protect people's lives and minimize the losses caused by Typhoon Saomai.
Typhoon Saomai, the strongest to hit China in half a century and now a
tropical depression, has left at least 134 dead and 163 others missing by
Sunday.
During his tour to east China's Zhejiang and Fujian provinces on Saturday and
Sunday, Hui inspected the rescue work and visited people who were traumatized by
the disaster.
Safety of the people must be placed a priority, noted Hui, and the rescue
operations must aim to reduce the losses to the minimum. People's living and
production must be restored as much as possible, he added.
On the visit to Cangnan County of Zhejiang and Fuding City of Fujian, the
worst-hit places, Hui told the villagers that the Party and the government would
help them re-build their life.
He praised Party officials in Xi'ao Village of Fuding on hearing no one was
killed during the evacuation.
Hui also paid visits to PLA soldiers, armed police, public security
forces and militia who have been fighting typhoon.
Speaking with provincial officials, Hui said the search for the missing must
continue and the condolence of the victims' families must be conducted properly.
"Clean drinking water, enough clothes, living place, medical service and
schooling must be available to the people who are affected by typhoon," he said.
Restoration of water and power supplies, transportation and communication
must be done as quickly as possible, while self-rescue production of the people
must be supported by the government, he added.
Hui also stressed epidemic control and called for all walks of life to join
in the reconstruction.
He warned that the flood control is facing severe situation as it is still
in flood season, therefore the leadership must keep alert and prepare well
for upcoming disasters.
