Guo Jiankun

After a 6.8-magnitude earthquake jolted Dingri county of Xigaze in Southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Chinese President Xi Jinping made an important instruction, demanding utmost efforts to carry out search and rescue and provide medical treatment for the injured, and minimize casualties, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun said at Wednesday's routine briefing, introducing the rescue and disaster relief work in affected areas. 

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made an important instruction, urged prevent secondary disasters, properly resettle affected residents, and handle the aftermath effectively, the Xinhua News Agency reported on Tuesday.  

It is essential to strengthen earthquake monitoring and early warning, promptly allocate disaster relief supplies, expedite the repair of damaged infrastructure, ensure the basic needs of residents are met, and guarantee a safe and warm winter for all, Xi said.

In a Tuesday instruction, Premier Li Qiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, urged efforts to organize all-out search and rescue operations and minimize casualties. 

Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, led a team to the quake site to guide the rescue and relief efforts.

The Chinese government has activated national level-II emergency response and disaster relief operations are proceeding efficiently and systematically, said Guo.

The first batch of central disaster relief supplies has arrived in the affected area. All earthquake-damaged road sections in Dingri county have been cleared, and power supply has been restored to Dingri county and several townships. Communication signals in the disaster-stricken area have been restored. Thanks to the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee, we believe that the people in the affected areas will surely overcome this challenge and rebuild their homes, said Guo.

Global Times