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Hu offers helping hand to soldiers in relief work

CARING TOUCH: Chinese President Hu Jintao loads relief supplies onto a helicopter at an airport in Guilin, Guangxi province, on Wednesday. - PHOTO: XINHUA

GUILIN (China): President Hu Jintao made another visit to a disaster area ahead of the Spring Festival, China’s most important holiday, and this time, he offered a helping hand.

At an airport in southern Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Mr. Hu removed his coat and joined a squad of soldiers who were loading relief supplies onto a helicopter.

“Weather conditions have been volatile these days. Not only do you need to fulfil your flight missions, but you must also ensure your safety,” Mr. Hu told the soldiers who were delivering supplies to the people in regions hard hit by severe weather.

The President urged the soldiers to fight difficulties and fatigue and contribute to achieving a victory over the disaster.

At a local supermarket, Mr. Hu asked about market supplies and commodity prices, urging managers to ensure food supply and keep prices stable.

In his visit to some model workers later on Tuesday, Mr. Hu shook hands with each of them, including one whose hand was in bandage.

Mr. Hu praised them for doing their best in combating the disaster despite “difficulties and danger” and serving as role models in relief work. “As long as we make concerted efforts, we will definitely overcome the difficulties and achieve victory,” he said.

During the battle with severe weather in the winter, at least three police officers and 11 technicians died on duty.

On Wednesday, or Lunar New Year’s eve, Mr. Hu continued his visit to the south, stopping in Ziyuan, a county that was without water and power supply and telecommunication services.

It was the fifth year in a row that the President spent the most important family holiday outside Beijing with ordinary citizens. “Lunar New Year’s eve” was Mr. Hu’s favourite topic during his visit on Wednesday. Shaking hands with road workers en route to Ziyuan, he said that he appreciated their work on this special day.

“All people in the county are looking forward to the resumption of electricity. I hope you can overcome the difficulties and send it to every household as early as possible,” Mr. Hu said. — Xinhua

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