The Guardian 21 May, 2008
"Every village" quake policy
Chinese President Hu Jintao told rescuers to use "every available means" to reach every village affected by the May 12 earthquake in southwest China.
"We must try every method to send rescuers to every quake-hit village, instead of just working in towns and cities … We must send rescue teams, carrying food and drinking water, to the worst-hit villages, even on foot, as soon as possible", Hu said, travelling on bumpy roads to visit one quake-hit villages after another, comforting victims and encouraging rescuers.
More than 32,000 people have been confirmed dead in the 8.0-magnitude earthquake hitting northwest Sichuan.
He was surrounded by wailing women when he visited a temporary shelter camp at Yinghua. "I know you lost family and property. I share the pain with you. We will try every effort to save your people once there is the slightest hope and possibility".
The President told people living in the town that more than 100,000 troopers of the People’s Liberation Army and armed policemen have been assembled and on their ways to each quake-hit villages. Hu Jintao arrived in the quake-hit province on May 16 to oversee disaster rescue, relieving Premier Wen Jiabao who had flown in immediately after the quake and had been working in the region for the previous four days.
"Heartfelt thanks"
"On behalf of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the State Council and the Central Military Commission, I express heartfelt thanks to the foreign governments and international friends that have contributed to our quake-relief work", Hu said.
More than 200 rescuers from Japan, Russia, the Republic of Korea (ROK) and Singapore are in Sichuan to help with the rescue and disaster relief work.
Hu also conveyed his greetings to the government officials and people in the disaster-hit areas, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), armed police, militia, reservists, public security staff, medical personnel, journalists and all people making "selfless devotion" to the quake-devastated areas.
The Communist Party of China has also expressed its thanks to the people and government of Taiwan and to the Chair of the Kuomintang Party in Taiwan.
"The Taiwan compatriots have been active in making donations and offering help in various forms after the devastating earthquake in Wenchuan of Sichuan Province on May 12", said Chen Yunlin, director of the Taiwan Work Office of the CPC Central Committee. "I hereby extend our heartfelt gratitude on behalf of the people in the quake-hit areas."
"The Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and its General Secretary Hu Jintao welcome and invite Taiwan’s Kuomintang (KMT) Chairman Wu Poh-hsiung to visit the mainland", an official said Saturday.
He noted that over the past three years, the CPC and the KMT have conducted various forms of communication and dialogue, which have played an important role in promoting the steady development of cross-Strait relations.
"With positive changes of the current situation in Taiwan, Wu’s visit will be conducive to strengthening the communication and dialogue of the two parties and will push forward the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations. We will consult with the KMT on Chairman Wu’s visit as soon as possible and make relevant arrangements", said Chen.