Chinese new leadership stands test of strong quake

Chinese central government has shown capability and efficiency during the fight against crises like the H7N9 bird flu and the devastating earthquake.

The quake, which struck Lushan County in southwest China's Sichuan Province Saturday morning, is the first big natural disaster that President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang have faced since coming to office about a month ago.

Now the earthquake relief has been considered a priority of the government.

Since the disaster occurred, Xi has continuously made instructions for disaster-relief work. Shortly after the quake, Xi ordered all possible measures to be taken to rescue victims and minimize deaths and injuries, emphasizing that saving lives is the top priority in the relief work.

He also ordered troops to be quickly dispatched to the front line of the quake-relief work to rescue residents and treat the injured in every possible way.

The State Council, or the cabinet, immediately launched a first-grade emergency response to the earthquake. Armed forces and aid workers from across the country flocked to the quake zone, reflecting the memories of the 2008 quake which left 87,000 people dead or missing.

The mass mobilization this time, however, is more efficient and effective compared with the 2008 quake which caused public fluster at the beginning of the disaster.

LIFE PRIORITY

China's new leaders have reiterated that they will put the people first, share their happiness and sufferings, and spare no pains to ensure all the Chinese people enjoy the fruits of the country's development.

The promises were proved during the fight against the quake.

Five hours after the quake occurred, Li flew to the epicenter, urging the utmost effort to save lives so long as there was one gleam of hope. After arriving at the epicenter, he had to hold a meeting late night with flashlights in a tent as the electricity supply had not yet been resumed.

The Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, the State Council and Central Military Commission have mobilized the military and civilian forces to engage in rescue and relief work immediately. No minute or even second has been delayed during the first 72 hours after the quake.

More than 19,000 troops have joined the rescue mission, working through the night to check every house in searching for survivors. As of late Monday, they have saved more than 2,800 people and relocating 24,000.

On Tuesday, China's top leadership, seven members of the Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau, paid a silent tribute to victims in the quake.

The Chinese government will continue searching for survivors and try its best to help the injured, said the statement issued after their meeting presided over by Xi.

"Life is most valuable. We will mobilize rescuers to search from door to door and make sure no corner is left," the statement said. "We will by all means avoid death caused by injuries and reduce the number of people disabled by injuries."