CHINA> News
|
President Hu inspects reconstruction efforts
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-05-14 16:43 CHENGDU -- Chinese President Hu Jintao Monday and Tuesday inspected reconstruction work and encouraged survivors to bravely face the music in southwestern Sichuan Province where a massive earthquake, centered in Wenchuan County, left more than 87,000 dead or missing last May 12.
Hu and Vice Premier Li Keqiang visited heroes and models of quake relief, people working on rebuilding the area and grassroots officials and the masses in quake-hit Mianyang, Deyang and Chengdu cities and Aba prefecture. Hu praised the reconstruction efforts and encouraged them to make more contributions to rebuilding the quake-hit region. In a rehabilitation and artificial limb center for the disabled in Deyang, jointly set up by the local association for the handicapped and the Hong Kong Red Cross Society, Hu, moved by the staff's meticulous care, said, "You've not only brought here rehabilitation techniques, but a loving heart as well."
He also helped Liu Chunyan, 37, who had both of her legs amputated after the quake, to practice walking. Liu wore artificial limbs and received rehabilitation training at the center. Hu asked Liu to be strong and optimistic toward life. The president also carefully observed an urban planning layout panel and a sand table model of the Beichuan County, which was flattened by the quake. Hu asked in detail about the progress of the reconstruction project. He told workers that building the new Beichuan was a "landmark project of an overall post-quake reconstruction," and "scientific planning, meticulous designing, efficient and quality construction are essential." Hu's car also cut the ribbon lining the newly-built expressway linking Dujiangyan City and Yingxiu Town, two of the worst-hit areas in the deadly earthquake, at a ceremony marking the road's opening to traffic. The new road is a fast track leading to the epicenter and is vital for reconstruction work. In a modern agricultural model park in Dujiangyan, which was built with Shanghai's help, Hu told technological staff to promote agricultural technologies so that farming could contribute more to local farmers' income growth. |