Hu offers children hope for holiday

Source: Xinhua  |   2008-6-2  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

PRESIDENT Hu Jintao wished quake-affected children a happy holiday for Children's Day yesterday during a weekend visit to northwestern Shaanxi Province, also heavily hit by the May 12 earthquake.

Hu arrived at Ningqiang County, which neighbors worst-hit Sichuan Province, on Saturday.

A magnitude 5.7 aftershock hit Ningqiang around 4pm on Tuesday, leaving at least one person injured, 860 houses destroyed and 3,100 damaged. Almost all the 340,000 locals in Ningqiang have been urged to live outdoors amid fears of possible aftershocks.

At Jinshansi Village, almost all houses were flattened and villagers had been forced to live in tents for days. Hu went into a tent school in the village to console children who were suffering after the quake.

"Today you have to study in the tent. But I promise we will help you build a new school. You will be sure to have a better classroom," he said.

Then the president picked up chalk, wrote 16 Chinese characters on the chalkboard and recited together with the children: "One in trouble, all to help; rely on ourselves and work hard."

"When we rebuild our hometown, we should stick to this spirit," Hu said. "Many children are very brave and strong in the face of the major earthquake. I have learned from you and see the hope of the quake-hit regions and the whole country. I believe you will strive to become stronger and work hard in the future."

Hu wished the children a happy holiday and handed them gifts.

He then inspected relief work at the village. At a medical camp, Hu walked from bed to bed, asking patients' conditions and wishing them a speedy recovery.

He shook hands with Zhao Shasha, 12, who was receiving treatment, and said, "let's make a friend."

He also stopped Tao Yaoxiu, 65, from sitting up in her bed. The tearful woman thanked him for coming to visit them and Hu answered, "We are people's servants. We should take care of your business."

He thanked medical workers for trying their best to save people.

News spread soon about the visit of President Hu and more villagers came to see him.

"We are thinking of you and worrying about your difficulties. Please don't worry, the Party and government will try every method to settle you down and rebuild your hometown," he said.

"We will pull through the hard time with support and assistance from the government and people nationwide as well as your own efforts. Your life will be better."