Red Star News:

Last year, Hebei experienced extremely heavy rainfall and flooding. Hebei authorities pledged to complete post-disaster reconstruction within two years. Could you provide us with an update on the progress and outcomes of the restoration efforts? Thank you.

Wang Zhengpu:

Thank you for your question. I'd like to invite Mr. Zhang to answer. 

Zhang Chengzhong:

Thank you for your concern about Hebei's post-disaster recovery and reconstruction. After the massive flooding in July 2023, we resolutely implemented General Secretary Xi Jinping's important instructions, united as one, overcame difficulties and achieved a decisive victory in disaster relief. We have made significant progress in post-disaster recovery and reconstruction. First, we united and worked tirelessly to rebuild a better home. Last year, we repaired, reinforced and built over 165,000 rural houses, while construction of over 21,600 new rural houses will be completed before this winter. We ensured that every household in the affected areas had heating facilities in place to ensure a safe and warm winter. Infrastructure such as water, electricity, roads, gas, communication and sewage treatment was fully restored. All students returned to school on time in the fall of last year. We improved the urban and rural environments, and significantly changed the look of flood-affected areas. Second, the production and living order in the disaster areas have been fully restored. We pre-allocated subsidies and relief funds, pre-compensated insurance funds, and carefully handled the compensation for flood retention areas, providing reassurance to the affected population. We implemented policies to alleviate difficulties and provide assistance, such as rent reductions and loan interest subsidies, allowing market entities to quickly resume normal operations. We restored damaged farmland and agricultural facilities, working to minimize losses from the disaster. In Zhuozhou, one of the hardest-hit areas, some disaster-affected communities established canteens to ensure residents have food, and replanting was carried out in damaged farmland and greenhouses with expert assistance. Finally, we ensured timely and high-quality post-disaster reconstruction. All water-damaged flood control projects should be fully restored by June 30. Over 90% of damaged schools, health centers and nursing homes have been repaired or rebuilt, with full completion expected by the end of this year. In summary, we can fully complete the post-disaster reconstruction work within two years.

In terms of building up capacity for disaster prevention, reduction and relief, we have seized major opportunities presented by the additional issuance of government bonds and have coordinated the planning and implementation of 1,210 projects for post-disaster recovery and reconstruction as well as the improvement of capacity for disaster prevention and relief. Once completed, the projects will greatly enhance Hebei's flood prevention and disaster resilience. In January this year, we issued Regulations on the Transfer of Personnel for Flood Control and Hazardous Relief of Hebei Province, standardizing the entire process of transfer for flood control and hazard evasion and providing legal protection for the transfer of people. In February this year, we cooperated with the People's Insurance Company Group of China (PICC) and other insurance institutions to take the lead in creating comprehensive catastrophe insurance across the country, covering all types of disasters and insured more than 74 million residents in the province with comprehensive catastrophe insurance. Thank you.