Various localities should fight against floods and droughts while at the same time encouraging grain production, Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu said during his visit to central China's Hubei and Henan provinces from Monday to Friday.

Only by doing so, could China realize the growth of grain production and increase of farmers' income, said Hui, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters.

Hui visited Xiangfan City in Hubei Province and Anyang and Luohe City in Henan Province and checked dykes, reservoirs and major flood control projects there, urging local officials to ensure the supply of food, clothing, dwellings and drinking water to the affected people in the region.

Though China has seen satisfactory grain production and increase of farmers' income this summer, the vice premier said, the situation in autumn is still uncertain.

All local governments should fully implement the central government's policies for supporting agriculture and mobilizing farmer's motivation, the vice premier said.

(Xinhua News Agency August 7, 2004)