Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao stands on the Chengjiang Bridge to inspect floodwater of the barrier lake as machines dredge the channel of the Bailongjiang River in landslide-hit Zhouqu County, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in northwest China's Gansu Province, August 22, 2010. Wen made an inspection tour in Zhouqu on August 21-22. [Xinhua]

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao remarked over the weekend that the Zhouqu relief effort had shifted focus from rescue work to helping survivors get their lives back in order.

Wen made the remarks while revisiting the mudslide-stricken Zhouqu county in northwest Gansu province on Saturday and Sunday. Wen's first visit was on Aug. 8 when the disaster struck.

Wen said the most pressing task was to help the survivors get on with their lives, which meant providing enough food, clothing and medical care to them as well as sheltering the homeless. Preparations for the freezing winter also needed to be concentrated on.

Wen ordered measures to be carried out to ensure no epidemic outbreaks and that the blocked river be drained quickly. He urged that schools resume in early September.

Wen also urged close surveillance around the barrier lakes and geologically unstable areas.

Additionally, Wen stressed, reconstruction would be the priority for Zhouqu now and a period of time to come.