Premier extends New Year greetings to quake-hit residents

BEIJING - Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has extended New Year greetings to people in a quake-hit area in Qinghai province and urged the local government to finish the reconstruction program "without regret".

Wen made the remarks during his visit on New Year's Eve to the Gyegu township of Qinghai's Yushu Tibetan autonomous prefecture where a 7.1-magnitude earthquake killed more than 2,000 people living on the mountainous plateau on April 14, 2010.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (front R) talks with monks while visiting a monastery in Yushu Tibetan autonomous prefecture in Northwest China's Qinghai province, Dec 31, 2012. Wen paid a visit in quake-hit Yushu before New Year's Day to inspect the reconstruction work and extend New Year's greetings to the people there. [Photo/Xinhua]

It was the third trip by Premier Wen to Yushu after the disaster. His previous two visits were soon after the quake in 2010.

"I could hardly believe my eyes when I came to Yushu again," Premier Wen said. "A new and promising Yushu is rising up. The reconstruction program will soon be complete and we must carry out the last-minute work well and finish it without regret."

Most of the residents who lost their homes after the quake have moved into newly built residential buildings. Public facilities, including a square to commemorate Tibetan King Gesar, have been renovated, and education and healthcare services have been restored.

The more than 800-year-old Damkar Monastery was severely damaged in the earthquake. Premier Wen visited the monastery's newly built scripture hall and clergy's residence.

Wen told the clergy that he had been concerned about people in the quake-hit area, especially the Tibetans and clergy, and he was happy to see the monastery completely renovated.

"The government has created good conditions for many people living in Tibetan areas who are buddhists," Wen said.

"A monastery should be a clean and honest place where the clergy abide by religious commandment and build a positive social image," Wen said.

Premier Wen also went to local Party and government's office buildings and resident's resettlement sites where he had lunch with grassroots officials and locals.

Wen also went to a rebuilt primary school and a hospital. He said children who lived through disasters are stronger and the tragedy had taught them that difficulties can be overcome.

"The sun always rises and shines Yushu, just as it does today," Wen said.

The premier stressed that it has been a tradition for the Chinese nation and a socialistic advantage to support each other and make a united effort to help those in difficulties.