Premier Urges Redoubled Drought-Relief Efforts

A drought in Southwest China caused a visit from Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. The premier has called for intesified efforts to help the people of the region. During a three day trip to the region that ended on Sunday, Wen visited Qujing, one of the regions that suffered the most from the recent severe drought, to comfort the affected locals and direct relief work. Wen went to drought affected villages, farmlands, and reseviors to learn about the impact that the drought has had on local life. The premier says that the prioroty should be given to the guarentee of drinking water and the preperation of spring farming. He urged officials however to prepare for the worst as the drought is likely to continue. Wen said that more efforts should be put into spring farming as a good harvest is needed to ensure a steady and rapid economic growth and stable commodity prices. To address water-shortage, Wen ordered intensified efforts on water conservancy project construction and promised more government support in this field. The severe drought has affected 51 million Chinese and left more than 16 million people and 11 million livestock with drinking water shortages. Since autumn last year, southwest China, has received only half its annual average rainfall and water stores are severely depleted.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/bizchina/2010-03/22/content_9621608.htm