Premier Wen Jiabao and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon visited the quake epicenter Saturday in Southwest China’s Sichuan Province as the UN chief met victims and witnessed the devastation first-hand.
Wen and Ban held a press conference on the rubble of the quake-ravaged Yingxiu town as Wen said the massive earthquake had killed more than 60,000 people in quake-stricken areas while 30,000 remained missing.
It’s Wen’s second trip to the disaster area after the May 12 quake.
Premier Wen Jiabao (Front 1st L) and United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (Front 2nd L) hold a press conference on the rubble at Yingxiu town of Wenchuan County, quake-hit southwest China’s Sichuan Province, May 24, 2008. Wen Jiabao met with Ban Ki-moon in Yingxiu Saturday.
Wen also introduced China’s quake relief efforts to visiting United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and said China would carry out reconstruction as soon as possible.
The UN chief arrived in Chengdu, capital city of quake-stricken Sichuan Province, Saturday morning and later visited the Yingxiu Town, one of the worst-hit areas.
"The whole world is standing behind you and will help you," Ban Ki-moon made the remarks in an open area shortly after his arrival at the town. Ban promised to mobilize efforts from the United Nations to support China’s quake relief and post-quake reconstruction.
Ban said the two sides (UN and China) will assess the quake damages to help rehabilitation and reconstruction.
Ban praised the Chinese leaders for their outstanding leadership in quake relief, and wished Chinese people a victory in quake relief.
Wen extended gratitude to Ban for the world body’s support and help for China’s quake relief.
Speaking at a press conference, Wen said there are three main difficulties now facing the disaster relief:
First, more tents are needed for the homeless people. The premier urged one camp primary school should be established for the children accommodated in every 1,000 tents and one middle school for those in every 2,000 tents.
Second, to prevent epidemic. Until now no epidemic outbreak has been reported but the government has pledged to keep transparent if there is any epidemic report.
Third, to cut off pollution sources and reserve cultural heritage.
The premier also urged reporters to record the real situations to memorize the dead and console the survivors. "We hope foreign reporters will follow their conscience and stict to humanitarian spirit," Wen said.
Death toll rises to 60,560
The death toll in China’s major earthquake increased by 4,820 to 60,560 as of Saturday noon, according to the Information Office of the State Council.
And 352,290 people were injured and 26,221 missing in the 8.0-magnitude quake that jolted southwestern Sichuan Province on May 12.
A total of 45.5 million people have been affected by the quake, according to the office.
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