Leading figures of China's democratic parties have advised the government on rebuilding areas hit by the massive earthquake in southwestern Sichuan Province, including the resettlement of quake-affected people and the issue of bonds to raise funds for the reconstruction efforts.

The eight democratic parties and a few non-party political organizations are encouraged to provide consultation and advice to the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC). Leaders of the democratic parties usually take leading positions of the National People's Congress (NPC), or the legislature, or the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

After visiting areas worst hit by the May 12 quake, the democratic parties' leaders suggested effective resettlement of the quake sufferers.

The 8.0-magnitude earthquake has claimed at least 69,130 lives, injured 374,031 people,left 17,824 others missing and made millions homeless.

Government should provide subsidies to people who wish to build their own makeshift shelters, some of the school-age children and bereaved elders and disabled people should be relocated, they said.

The leaders also suggested post-disaster trauma be treated properly for not only survivors but also rescue workers who experienced heart-wrenching scenes after the devastating tremor.

They asked to restore service chains in the quake-affected areas as soon as possible in order to keep retail price stable in those areas.

Preferential policy terms should be offered to local enterprises, particularly in the private sector, to make contribution to restoration efforts, they said.

They also suggested the immediate issue of special bond to raise funds for the reconstruction.

(Xinhua News Agency June 7, 2008)