Vice Premier on Preparations for Drought ReliefVice-Premier Wen Jiabao called on localities to intensify their drought relief and flood control efforts in the coming year, when he inspected the China Meteorological Administration Wednesday, December 20.Wen, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, debriefed the administration and held talks with meteorological experts there. China frequently suffers from bad weather and meteorological services are of utmost importance, said the Vice-Premier. Wen highlighted the meteorological staff's outstanding contribution to the country's development and people's safety over the past years. According to the long-range weather forecast, the task of flood control and drought relief next year will be tough, he said, "and drought relief in particular". The governments at all levels should be prepared in mind. The present work is focused mainly on drought relief for the approaching spring. Wen suggested that farmers set up small water conservation projects. Irrigation projects should be improved and water saving be advocated. Local governments should work out plans to use water rationally. Research on alternative resources, such as groundwater, should be furthered but with caution to protect the environment. Wen also mentioned the prevention of ice running in the north. Wen encouraged meteorological staff to apply advanced technology to realize modernization in the field as soon as possible. |
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