Quake repairs get boost

Source: Xinhua  |   2008-11-18  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

Reconstruction work would be accelerated as a top priority in quake-affected areas, said Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao during his visit to Sichuan Province at the weekend.

He told villagers in Anxian County on Sunday that the government would strengthen support to farmers to help them rebuild their houses within two years, instead of three years as was the original schedule. The construction of public facilities, including schools, kindergartens and hospitals should also be quickened, Wen added.

"We can achieve that," he said, while visiting students and teachers of the Beichuan Middle School that has been operating in a temporary shelter since it was destroyed in the quake.

He told students who were injured in the quake never to give up. "I hope you will be optimistic against all the difficulties," Wen said.

Wen said reconstruction work should not only rely on government investment.

"Private companies should be motivated to invest in post-quake reconstruction projects," he said.

It's Wen's sixth visit to the area after the 8.0-magnitude quake struck on May 12 killing nearly 70,000 people. More than 17,000 people are still listed as missing.