China works to provide snow relief 
Updated: 2008-01-31 13:12
With many provinces hard hit by severe weather, local authorities have made disaster relief the "most pressing task" and are doing everything to provide relief. They are making "all-out efforts" to ensure normal production and help people get on with their daily lives.
In Guangzhou, local traffic authorities have provided 13 temporary shelters for the over 100,000 stranded passengers. By Tuesday morning, more than 80,000 were relocated.
A stranded passenger said, "Bad weather is to be blamed. It's not the government's fault. We should join hands to overcome the difficulties."
Wang Yang, Party secretary of Guangdong Province, said, "Now I can tell you that leaders from the State Council and the provincial government are meeting to seek efforts to deal with the issue. But the Party and the government need your understanding and cooperation. Let's deal with the issue together as soon as possible."
Some highway check points in Hunan Province are no longer charging tolls to help speed through vehicles. Hengyang City has provided food and shelter for over 300 passengers stranded on highways nearby. Xiangtan has dispatched more workers to receive over four thousand stranded passengers.
Zhang Chunxian, Party secretary of Hunan Province, said, "We are dispatching more cars to pick up those stranded, and making schools, hospitals and hotels ready for them to stay in. And we are providing food and drinks for free."
Continuing bad weather has forced the closure of many railways and caused dangerous driving conditions in Jiangxi. Local authorities have laid straw bags on bridges to ensure safety and all the roads are no longer blocked.
The Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge is an important passage linking northern and southern Jiangsu Province. Local officials are trying to ensure the bridge is unblocked for the transportation of coal and fuel.
In Wuhan, the capital of Hubei Province, major provincial leaders cleaned the snow together with local residents. Volunteers are also sending vegetables to the elderly to make sure they have enough food.
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