The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) has ordered its
troops to go all out to combat the lingering heavy snow in the
southern part of the country.
The PLA's Department of General Staff and General Political
Department issued a joint decree on Monday, ordering troops in the
affected areas to join in the anti-snow battle in collaboration
with local governments.
The troops should give whatever assistance local governments
require for fighting disaster and in rescuing people, the order
said.
So far, 158,000 PLA troops and the Chinese People's Armed Police
(PAP) and 303,000 paramilitary members have joined the anti-snow
campaign.
The current heavy snowfall has caused unexpected difficulties to
local life, production and transport in the affected areas and the
country as a whole.
So far, heavy snow and rain have left at least 24 dead and
caused enormous financial and property loss.
(Xinhua News Agency January 30, 2008)