Wen speaks on rehabilitation in quake-hit areas

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-09-16 21:13

He said it would take up to three years to complete the rehabilitation program and ensure that living conditions and economic development in the region would reach or surpass pre-quake levels.

There will be homes and jobs for each household and social security for everyone, Wen said. He pledged to improve the local infrastructure and the economy and environment in the quake areas.

The government will work hard to ensure people's living conditions in the area, especially warm housing and food supply during the winter and the normal operation of local schools.

He also asked for medical and psychological aid for survivors and urged local governments to ensure public security and social stability.

On housing, Wen pledged to have those left homeless in new houses by the end of 2009. The central government will subsidize house rebuilding, he noted.

The rebuilding of houses and public utilities should be integrated with the new countryside development, while the reconstruction of historic towns and villages should be combined with the preservation of their historic style, Wen said.

He called for stepped-up efforts to rebuild public facilities and infrastructure, saying it will be a long-term job. Preference should be given to rebuilding schools and hospitals, stressing the importance of quality, to make these buildings the safest, strongest and most satisfactory to the public.

Wen highlighted the issue of employment in the quake areas, saying that to rebuild local industries was a fundamental necessity for developing the local economy, increasing employment and safeguarding social stability.

Local companies should try hard to restore their capacity and attract companies from other parts of the country to participate in the merger and reorganization of local companies, Wen said. He also urged local people to work hard to restore agricultural production and tourism.

The premier called for further efforts to prevent secondary disasters caused by the quake and further strengthen the region's capacity to fight natural disasters, by repairing damaged infrastructure and raising public awareness of disaster prevention.

Efforts should also be made to enhance disaster prevention, especially for schools and hospitals as well as transport and power networks. The building of public shelters should be included in urban and rural plans by the government.

He called for setting up more emergency rescue teams and including education on disaster prevention for students, factory workers, villages and families.

The premier also pledged to rebuild the environment and promote the coordinated development of the economy, the population and resources. The monitoring and managerial network for the environment should be rebuilt, Wen said.

Efforts should be made to handle pollutants in the quake areas, and land that was used for temporary housing or rescue programs should be returned to cultivation, according to the premier.

At the end of his speech, Wen urged local governments and relevant central government departments to implement the central policies for the rehabilitation. All the information concerned will be made transparent to the public, he stressed.

The government will compile a list of persons who were confirmed dead or listed as missing in the quake, and it will be published in the local media, according to Wen.

He urged local authorities to take responsibility for rehabilitation and ensure all work is done on time and as per requirements for quality and quantity.

He stressed the tradition of "Self-reliance and Hard Work" of the CPC and the Chinese people. He urged people to be thrifty and diligent in the rehabilitation.

All government funds will be distributed to the quake areas in time and in sufficient quantity, he said, adding that a "green channel" will be used to handle urgent matters concerning the rehabilitation.

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