Phoenix TV:

Mr. Ren, nice to see you again. The 6.2-magnitude earthquake in Jishishan late last year was highly concerning. How is the post-disaster recovery and reconstruction work progressing in Gansu half a year later? And what plans do you have for the future? Thank you.

Ren Zhenhe:

Thank you for your concern for the people affected by the earthquake in Jishishan. I would like to invite Mr. Cheng to answer this question.

Cheng Xiaobo:

After the earthquake, with the deep care of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, aid from all over the country quickly arrived in the disaster-affected areas. We completed emergency rescue operations in a very short time and resettled the affected people. During that time, the profound love and support from all corners of the country converged upon Gansu. The scenes of compassion and support were deeply moving and heartwarming. Let me now provide an overview of the post-disaster recovery and reconstruction efforts.

The CPC Central Committee and the State Council attach great importance to the recovery and reconstruction of Jishishan county. Under the support of various national ministries and commissions, the National Development and Reform Commission took the lead in drafting the overall reconstruction plan, and Gansu province also formulated special plans and action plans. According to the overall plan, the entire reconstruction will be completed in three years. The main tasks include: first, rebuilding and repairing residential housing to ensure safe living conditions for the people; second, developing infrastructure including for transportation, water conservancy, electricity and communications to make travel and daily life more convenient; third, enhancing public services like education and healthcare to make schooling and medical treatment more accessible; and fourth, promoting industries with local features to increase people's incomes and their quality of life.

This year, in addition to coordinating post-disaster reconstruction efforts, we are focused on two key objectives. First, we will ensure that people relocated to the resettlement sites move into their new homes before Oct. 1, so that those affected can celebrate National Day in their safe and comfortable new houses; second, we will ensure that newly built schools are put into use before Sept. 1, so that children can start the new semester in bright and spacious classrooms.

I would like to introduce two guiding principles in our planning and construction process. First, we fully respect the people's wishes. For example, in terms of house design, we have extensively gathered feedback from residents and offered seven types of apartment and four types of single-story houses to provide ample choices. Second, we ensure the quality of the construction. This is both our goal and bottom line for reconstruction. We aim to make the post-disaster reconstruction projects into high-quality and reliable projects that win the hearts of the people.

Over the past six months, we have advanced the reconstruction work in the disaster-affected areas as quickly as possible. If you visit Jishishan county, you can see bustling construction sites, with vehicles constantly shuttling back and forth, and rows of towering cranes. It can be said that every brick, tile, road and house in the disaster-affected area reflects the support and care from all sectors of society. This is also the source of our confidence to complete the task of reconstruction on time and to a high standard. We firmly believe that with the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, the robust support of all sectors of society, the dedicated attention of the media, and the hard work and self-reliance of local officials and residents, the areas affected by the earthquake will be turned into an even more beautiful home. Thank you.