Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao paid a visit from Saturday to Sunday
to northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, which is
stricken by drought.
Most areas in the middle part of Ningxia have had no effective
rain for more than 600 days. Ningxia has to enhance its irrigation
work in order to fight the drought. Premier Wen spoke highly of
Ningxia people's efforts to fight against the drought.
After visiting several villages, Wen said sound grain production
and an increase in farmers' income would guarantee the stable and
fast development of national economy.
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Although grain production has witnessed consecutive good harvests
for years, droughts have become obstacles that threaten grain
output this year, he said.
The affected provinces have been investing heavily to combat the
natural adversities. Northeastern China's Jilin Province, for example, has been trying
to subsidize farmers in digging wells to ease drought.
(Xinhua News Agency May 8, 2006)
