Priorities listed for rebuilding

Source: Xinhua  |   2008-7-5  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

CHINA'S State Council yesterday published guidelines for post-quake reconstruction.

The State Council, China's Cabinet, stressed there should be priority for repairing and building houses for people whose homes were destroyed during the May 12 quake.

"Check for repairable buildings and fix them as soon as possible; scientifically choose sites, economically use land and set down reasonable quake-resistant levels when building new houses," the guidelines say.

Areas suitable for living must be chosen based on scientific assessments and evaluations of geology and natural resources. The government will attend to the redistribution of population, industry and productivity.

The reconstruction of buildings should take local advice into account and can be funded by governmental subsidies, social support and local resources.

All these measures are aimed at letting quake-affected people live in "safe and comfortable houses as soon as possible," the guidelines say.

Resources should be optimized to upgrade quake resistance standards and improve the quality of construction, the guidelines say.

Priority should be given to the reconstruction of public facilities, including schools and hospitals, and these buildings should be the "safest, most solid and trustworthy."

The guidelines require high schools and vocational schools be located in county seats and middle schools in townships.

The State Council also put emphasis on the efforts to restore hydroelectric facilities, saying priority should be given to the reconstruction and repair of reservoirs, dams, and rural water supply systems and hydro works.

Similar emphasis should also be given to channeling the quake lakes and blocked rivers.