Chinese Premier Calls for Redoubled Flood-Fighting Efforts on Yangtze River
Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji urged people along the Yangtze River to maintain high vigilance and make careful inspections of the river embankments to ensure the safety of major cities and people's lives, during his visit to Hunan Province from July 23 to 25.
Despite the sweltering hot weather, Zhu inspected water-control projects in Changsha, capital of central China's Hunan Province on the afternoon of July 23. He visited flood victims in the Ziyang District on July 24 where a secondary dyke had broken and toured the Yongji section of the Yangtze and the Chenglingji hydrologic station on July 25. Wherever he went, Zhu had cordial talks with officers and soldiers of the People's Liberation Army and local people fighting the flooding, encouraging them to make persistent efforts to insure the safety of the Yangtze River embankments.
The flood situation at some sections of the Yangtze is more serious than it was last year, as more heavy rains are expected in the region shortly, and a number of embankment reinforcing projects have yet to be completed, Zhu said.
Party committees and governments at all levels, especially leading officials, should bear full responsible for flood fighting and relief. Patrols along the river dykes should be carried out around-the-clock, and hidden perils must be eliminated once they are discovered, the premier said.
He urged all localities to make proper arrangement for flood victims, help the old, the weak and women escape the danger areas, and provide them with food and clean water.
Continued efforts will be made to plant trees and grass along the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze, reduce river silt, and crack down on inferior water-control projects. Those who detain and embezzle government funds earmarked for key water projects must be dealt with in accordance with law, he said.
Over the past year, residents have been moved out of dam areas, saving them from flooding and playing a vital role in adjusting flood control. More investment will be used to build villages for those being resettled, and ensure that all state subsidies are sent to the farmers, Zhu said. (Xinhua)
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