China's Politburo meets on extreme weather

BEIJING, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) is urging local authorities to regard disaster relief as the "most pressing task" and to make "all-out efforts" to ensure normal production and life in areas hit by unprecedented bad weather this month.

The call came after a politburo meeting here on Tuesday, chaired by Chinese President Hu Jintao, which studied the effects and damage inflicted by icy rain and snowstorms and made plans for future relief work.

Most parts of southern China is set to suffer from more inclement weather in the next few days with some provinces facing storms, a statement issued by the meeting said.

The extreme weather will greatly affect the work and life of residents, especially with regards to transport and energy supply.

Relevant authorities must "fully realize the severity" of the situation, "take serious responsibility for the people", "rely firmly on the people" and make "all out efforts" on disaster relief to overcome this "formidable task", the statement said.

The politburo asked local authorities to improve their work in organizing and directing disaster relief, carrying out emergency mechanisms, clarifying job responsibilities, enhancing adjustment on economy operation, transporting coal and oil products, production safety, as well as ensuring social stability.

"The top priority task at present is to ensure electricity supply and smooth communications and transport by every possible means," the statement said. It urged local authorities to overcome all difficulties to increase coal output and guarantee the supply of coal for power plants.

"The people's interests should be put first," the statement said.

The politburo urged local authorities to solve problems for disaster-stricken people and alleviate their sufferings in a timely manner to ensure "a happy and peaceful" Spring Festival. The country's most important family reunion occasion falls on February 7.

It advocated the spirit that is stated in a Chinese saying, "When one place is in trouble, assistance comes from all squares". It called on all local governments and departments to voluntarily give a helping hand to disaster areas to minimize damage.