Feature: Chinese Premier Visits Flood Affected Areas

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, July 15, 2003

Feature: Chinese Premier Visits Flood Affected Areas

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Chinese Premier Visits Flood Affected Areas

Around 9:20 a.m. Saturday, flood fighters on Wangjiaba embankment of Mengwa flood diversion area of the Huaihe River saw a familiar figure coming. "Premier Wen Jiabao has come to see us," the news spread fast among the people working on the embankment and cheered them up.

Wen waved to the flood fighters as he walked towards them on a muddy road.

Earlier, the Wangjiaba lock had been opened twice on July 3 and11 to divert flood to the Mengwa flood diversion area in Funan County of Anhui Province, east China. This had forced 170,000 local dwellers to relocate.

"Are there any casualties in evacuating the local people," Wen asked a local official.

He showed satisfaction when the local official answered, "we realized zero casualties."

"That's good. We must always keep in mind that people's lives and safety are heavier than Mount Tai. Whether it's flood control, disaster relief or epidemic prevention, we must do a solid and meticulous job to ensure the safety and health of the people," said Wen.

Besides flood fighters, the embankment is also home to a long row of blue tents set up for evacuees.

Wen firmly shook the muddy hands of Zheng Zixue, a 70-year-old relocated villager, and extended his greetings and appreciation of their actions.

"People in the diversion areas have sacrificed their own interests for the sake of the overall flood control work. Your selfless and fearless spirits have moved the whole nation. Thank you all!" said Wen.

After that, the premier entered the tent of Zhang Wenli, a 57-year-old relocated villager, to inquire about the rations of flour, disinfectant, coal stoves, drinking water, mosquito-repellent, candles and electric torches.

In nearly every tent he entered, Wen would speak to the occupants. "It's hot. Make sure to drink clean water. Walk outside to breath fresh air frequently. Take care not to get sick."

He urged medical workers on the embankment to prepare adequate medicine to ensure sick people could be treated quickly and there would be no epidemic in the flood affected areas.

A little after 3:00 p.m., Wen arrived at the evacuation settlement in Yaoshan Town, Bengbu City, for relocated people from the Jingshanhu flood diversion area. Wen walked among the masses and inquired about their lives and their hopes for the future.

Wen spoke to local officials, "Our people are such understanding people. Party and government organizations at all levels must do their best to bring more benefits to the people. Plans for post-flood production must be made early to reinvigorate the flood-stricken areas as soon as possible."

Amid lasting applause from thousands of people on the embankment, Wen left Yaoshan Town in a ship standing on the deck and waving to the people.

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