Special report: Strong Earthquake Jolts SW China

    BEIJING, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Efforts to search for survivors should continue in quake zones, but more efforts should focus on resettlement and post-quake reconstruction, the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee agreed at a meeting on Monday.

    The meeting, presided over by CPC Central Committee General Secretary Hu Jintao, said the 8.0-magnitude earthquake that ravaged southwestern Sichuan Province on May 12 was the "most powerful" tremor with the "most widespread impact" and the most difficult for disaster relief since the New China was founded in 1949.

    The committee hailed nationwide and international efforts in quake relief work for the past two weeks, but stressed that quake relief was still at a crucial point, and that government would stick to its "people-first" policy.

    Search and rescue operations for the survivors should continue, but more importance should be attached to the resettlement of quake-affected people, restoration of production and reconstruction.

    The committee called for more experienced medical staff to be sent to the quake zones to tend to the injured, along with sufficient medical supplies, tents and makeshift accommodation, which are urgently needed in the quake zones.

    Local authorities should mount all-out efforts to prevent disease outbreaks in all affected villages, and guard against quake-induced disasters, aftershocks and flooding.

    Transportation, telecommunications and power and water supplies in the quake zones must resume as soon as possible, the committee said, while livelihoods should be secured for orphans, the widowed elderly with no children and the handicapped who lost relatives.

    Schools in the quake zones should resume classes if conditions allowed, and psychological treatment should be offered when needed.

    It ordered government officials to "stand on the front line of disaster relief work", and to publish timely progress reports in rescue missions and disaster relief work.

    The committee urged the restoration of production should be planned, and the whole country must mobilize to help with reconstruction.

    "The country should maintain economic development and social stability while engaging in quake relief work. Preparation for the Olympics and the Paralympics must be carried out at the same time," the committee agreed.

More than 28,000 CPC members go to quake-battered zone for rescue efforts

    BEIJING, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Ministries, state-owned enterprises (SOE) and local authorities have to date sent more than 28,000 Party members to help with quake relief work, according to the State Council Information Office here Monday. Full story

Chinese Premier says quake relief shifting to resettlement, reconstruction

    CHENGDU, May 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said Saturday the efforts to search survivors were continuing in the quake-hit areas, but the focus of work would be gradually shifted to the resettlement of residents and post-quake reconstruction. Full story

China Party leadership: Prevent epidemics, minimize quake losses

    BEIJING, May 22 (Xinhua) -- The Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee , the Party's top leadership, held a meeting here on Thursday and called for the prevention of epidemics and the minimization of losses in the quake areas. Full story

President Hu asks tent factories to boost production

    BEIJING, May 22 (Xinhua) -- President Hu Jintao visited two tent manufacturers in east China's Zhejiang Province on Thursday, urging them to produce as many as possible to meet needs of the quake survivors.

    Since the massive earthquake destroyed many houses, and reconstruction would take time, tents would become makeshift shelters for homeless people in these regions.  Full story

Chinese Politburo stresses saving lives first in quake relief 

    BEIJING, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Saving lives should be taken as the top priority during quake relief after nearly 15,000 were confirmed dead, a high profile meeting of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee was told Wednesday.

    The meeting of the Political Bureau Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee, presided over by President Hu Jintao, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, urged more army, armed police, firemen and special policemen, as well as medical personnel be rushed to the quake-hit areas.   Full story 

President Hu orders utmost effort for Sichuan quake victims

    BEIJING, May 12 (Xinhua) -- President Hu Jintao on Monday ordered all-out efforts to help those affected by a major earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale that jolted Wenchuan County of southwest China's Sichuan Province at 2:28 p.m. on Monday.

    Premier Wen Jiabao was on his way to the area to direct the rescue work.  Full story