China vows to normalize life, production in snow-hit areas as early as possible

BEIJING, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- China pledged to normalize life and production in snow-hit provinces as early as possible at an executive meeting here on Wednesday to make arrangements on the issue of rebuilding in these areas.

Premier Wen Jiabao presided over the executive meeting of the State Council, China's Cabinet.

Since mid-January, chaotic winter weather featuring low temperatures, heavy snow and freezing rain have brought about enormous damages to power and communications sectors, huge losses to people's lives and properties, as well as industrial and agricultural production, according to the meeting.

The Cabinet spoke highly of the joint efforts made by civilians, troops and police to fight the snow-caused catastrophes under the leadership of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the State Council.

Currently, transport has returned to normal nationwide and damaged power supply and transmission networks are being repaired. In the affected areas, power supply for residential use has basically been restored, markets are stable and social order has been maintained, according to the meeting.

It warned local governments and departments concerned not to relax as in some areas power supply facilities were yet repaired. In addition, the transport of power-use coal was still difficult, large areas of croplands were completely destroyed and life is very hard for local people.

The State Council asked local authorities to organize manpower, materials and funds in a scientific way and make plans, arrangements and start-ups quickly. This was to rebuild damaged infrastructure, restore industrial and agricultural production and normalize people's lives in the affected areas as early as possible while trying hard to minimize losses caused by the catastrophe.

According to the meeting, power supply in the affected areas must be completely normalized by the end of March, while transport facilities, telecom networks and radio and TV broadcasting networks must be normalized as quickly as possible.

The Cabinet also made detailed plans for restoring industrial and agricultural production in the affected areas, including the providing of crop seeds and food to affected farmers and in increasing coal, power and oil shipments to affected areas.

It also ordered relevant departments to monitor possible secondary disasters coming along with the low temperature, snow and freezing rain.

According to the latest official statistics, snow-caused catastrophes have killed 107 and caused 111.1 billion yuan (about 15.4 billion U.S. dollars) in direct financial loss.

So far, Chinese insurance companies have paid 1.04 billion yuan to clients on losses related to the snow-caused disaster. This included 975 million yuan for property losses and 65 million yuan for life insurance.