国内英语新闻:Senior leader inspects China's quake-hit areas

CHENGDU, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- A senior Chinese official has urged designated provinces and municipalities to contribute more to the reconstruction work in quake-hit areas in the southwestern Sichuan Province.

    Zhou Yongkang, a Standing Committee member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks during an inspection to Sichuan on Jan. 2-4.

Zhou Yongkang (L Front), a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, visits students at Shuimo High School in Wenchuan County, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Jan. 4, 2010. Zhou Yongkang made an inspection tour in Sichuan Province on Jan. 2-4.

    After the Wenchuan earthquake, the central government issued a policy designating each of the 18 provinces and municipalities, including Shandong, Guangdong, Beijing and Shanghai, to help rebuild one hard-hit county in Sichuan.

Zhou Yongkang (3rd L), a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, talks with residents at Qianjin Village in Anxian County, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Jan. 3, 2010. Zhou Yongkang made an inspection tour in Sichuan Province on Jan. 2-4.

"After the quake, all designated provinces and municipalities moved quickly to send money and personnel for the reconstruction of infrastructure and projects concerning local people's livelihood. They have made significant contribution," Zhou said.

    Zhou visited officials and workers from the eastern Shandong Province, who were there to help with the reconstruction at the new seat of Beichuan County, and urged them to build a new county with ethnic characteristics and modern elements.

    While visiting Yingxiu Town in the Wenchuan County, Zhou told local officials to focus on the livelihood of local residents during reconstruction.

    The quake on May 12 in 2008, measuring 8.0 on the Richter Scale and up to 11 in terms of intensity, left nearly 80,000 people dead or missing and millions homeless.