President Hu: Coal supply is priority

Chinese leaders have gone on inspection tours around the country as workers struggle to repair problems caused by the harsh weather conditions. In the latest, President Hu Jintao called on coal producers to ensure essential supplies.

The unprecedented disaster in southern China has severely affected people's lives. The coal supply is now at a critical level. This is also the biggest concern for President Hu Jintao, who is on an inspection tour to Shanxi Province and Qinhuangdao Port.

In Shanxi, Hu Jintao urged local authorities to put people's interests first, and to take measures to guarantee the steady and rapid development of the economy.

The first priority right now is to restore transportation links and power supply.

Hu Jintao said the quality of coal must not suffer. The president emphasized that coal production should be increased, and coal transport should be well organized to meet demand by major electricity plants. Safety is also essential to prevent supply being slowed by accidents.

The Datong coal mine is well known for the quality of its products, and it provides energy for a lot of the country's major electricity plants.

Hu Jintao expressed his gratitude to local workers who have been working overtime to guarantee coal supply. He went 400 meters underground to greet the workers.

Hu Jintao said, "We all know that the snow storms in our country's southern provinces have been severe and have had a severe impact on the daily lives of the people in those areas. Those people need coal and power plants need coal. They need coal to generate energy and return to normality. So the country needs you to work hard here to help our compatriots get through the difficulties brought on by the bad weather and have a good Spring Festival. But do make sure that you all work safely."

Transportation is the most crucial factor in guaranteeing the supply of electric power and coal. At the Hudong stop of the Datong to Qinhuangdao Railroad, which connects coal-rich Shanxi province to the North China port city, President Hu Jintao inspected the latest progress in the power and coal supply effort. The Datong to Qinhuangdao Railroad boasts state-of-the-art technology. It is a major lifeline in the coal transportation system of China, carrying millions of tons of coal to the country's southern regions each year. Twenty four hours a day, freight cars are being deployed and grouped at the stop, sending much-needed coal to the snow-hit regions. At the control center, President Hu Jintao asked about the details of the ongoing operation.

Hu Jintao said, "Currently the situation is very severe. It is a demanding task to guarantee supplies, especially the transportation of coal. As long as there is coal, there is electricity. As long as there is electricity, people in the hardest hit areas can return to normal life quickly. I hope you can do your best, to dispatch trains and increase transport volume... as well as ensure safety, to contribute to the fight against coal shortages. Please give my best regards to all the staff in the railway station, I am looking forward to hearing your good news."

In Datong, President Hu Jintao presided over a series of discussions with senior officials from the Datong Coal Mining Group and Taiyuan Railway Bureau about the production and supply of electricity and coal.

President Hu Jintao said electricity and coal are in urgent demand, as the snowy weather is still ongoing.

President Hu said government departments should be aware of the power and coal supply situation. He requested that the management and workers should all make their best efforts.

President Hu said efforts should be made to meet the demands of workers so that they can have a happy Spring Festival, even though they are working.

On Thursday afternoon, Hu Jintao went to Qinhuangdao port in Hebei province. Workers at the port have been working around the clock to ensure coal reaches the south. Hu encouraged the workers to do their best in the time of crisis.

Hu Jintao said, "The Qinghuangdao port is a key hub for transporting coal from North China to the South. I hope you will continue to do your best for the national campaign. I hope you will keep the machines working properly, and improve loading and unloading rates. Your efforts are very important to ensure electricity in disaster-hit areas."

Hu's words were echoed by the workers, who expressed determination to work hard to triumph in the ongoing battle against the natural disaster.