胡主席飞赴玉树慰问民众

国家主席胡锦涛提前结束对拉美的访问急赴玉树慰问灾区干部群众，实地指导抗震救灾工作。截至18日，玉树7.1级地震死亡人数已上升到1706人，256人失踪，12000人受伤。

President Hu Jintao first traveled to the village of Zhaxi Datong to inspect the situation and give his support to the quake victims.

Of some 600 people living in the village, 120 were killed in the quake and 72 others remain missing.

After hearing a local Tibetan's concerns about housing and education affected by the quake, Hu Jintao pledged to him that the post-disaster relief work would be started as quickly as possible.

"I assure you that the Party and the government will definitely help quake victims rebuild homes and resume classes for children as soon as possible."

The President then visited the injured receiving treatment at a stadium in Yushu and made sure there were enough medical supplies and that epidemic prevention and control work was proceeding smoothly.

President Hu Jintao also stressed that the top priority is to try to get to those who are still alive and treat those who have been rescued, pointing out that every life must be cherished.

At a tent hospital, the president consoled a Tibetan girl named Drolma.

"I know you are a good child, a brave child. Your future will be promosing. Be strong and have confidence in yourself."

The president also talked to the rescuers who are busy clearing rubble and searching for survivors in the quake-devastated village of Zhaxike.

Meanwhile, most of the relief materials dispatched to the area have now reached the epicenter of Yushu, including tents, cotton-padded quilts, cotton coats and hundreds of tons of instant food and drinking water.

With these supplies, and more on the way, Zou Ming, director of the Disaster Relief Department with the Ministry of Civil Affairs, says the basic needs of quake survivors are now being met.

"We've managed to make sure that every survivor has shelter, food and drinking water. And the injuries and illness of each one of them can be treated in a timely way."

The 7.1-magnitude quake which struck the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Yushu last week has left at least 1,706 dead, 256 missing and over 12,000 injured.