Chinese President Hu Jintao visited the southwest municipality of
Chongqing over the weekend to inspire locals to fight the flood and
summon up the confidence in rebuilding homes.
Hu inspected the destroyed houses in the worst-hit Shapingba
District, slogging through inundated streets in black galoshes, and
inquired local officials about the loss and post-disaster
recovery.
Chongqing experienced the most fierce torrential rains in the
past years in mid-July. And ensuing floods, landslides and mud-rock
flows killed 42 in the city over the past week.
"You have gone through a lot of hardship," the president told a
crowd of locals gathering on the street. "The once-in-a-century
rains and floods have destroyed your homes and washed away your
belongings. I feel sad as you all, and we must have the
determination and courage to get over the disaster."
The president asked local officials to provide enough meal,
clothes, accommodation, medication and clean water to the public,
and spare no efforts to rebuild roads and recover drinking water
and electricity supply.
Hu inspected the People's Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers who
helped with the reconstruction work in the city. He expressed
gratitude to their great efforts and asked them to carry forward
the PLA's courageous and dedicatory traditions.
During his trip, Hu also encouraged local enterprises to enhance
competitiveness, and officials to resolve issues with immediate
concern to the public.
(Xinhua News Agency July 23, 2007)
