Vice-Premier Wen Jiabao has urged local governments to give priority to combating the sustained droughts in different parts in the country and to make concerted efforts to resolve problems affecting the basic needs of residents.
Wen, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made an inspection tour of Shandon Province and Tianjin Municipality from September 25-27.
The vice premier asked local officials to ensure the safety of the drinking water for both urban and rural residents as well as for livestock. Efforts should be made to conserve water, he said.
In drought-affected areas, he suggested that local farmers could be organized to work temporarily in other areas of the country so as to increase incomes.
Leading officials at various levels should go deep among the masses to help people overcome difficulties brought about by the droughts, Wen said.
Wen called for systematic planning with regard to the rational use of the water sources of the Yellow River. While using Yellow River water to alleviate water shortages in drought-hit areas, efforts should also be made to prevent the country's second-largest river from drying up, he said.
(Xinhua News Agency September 28, 2002)
