MIANZHU, CHINA — China's central government Friday ordered its wealthier provinces and cities to give immediate financial and technical aid to communities devastated by last week's earthquake.
The order, which pairs cities such as Shanghai and Beijing with less-developed areas in Sichuan province, highlights China's awareness of the enormous task ahead, of rebuilding entire towns and resettling about 5 million displaced people. Banks were ordered to forgive debts owed by earthquake victims.
Premier Wen Jiabao said today that the quake killed more than 60,000. The death toll "may further climb to a level of 70,000, 80,000 or more," he said as he toured the disaster area with U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
The government also said crews were securing 15 sources of radiation buried under debris, but it did not provide specific information about the sources. An additional 35 sources that also had been covered with rubble already were secured, officials said.
Wu Xiaoqing, vice minister of environmental protection, said at a news conference Friday that all nuclear facilities in Sichuan province were safe and that there had not been any leak of radioactive substances into the environment.
The edict calling for economic and technical aid may take some of the pressure off the central government, as most earthquake victims appear to be waiting for the central government to take care of their needs.
In interviews in refugee camps, hospitals and tents outside their damaged homes, residents said they were counting on the government to provide housing, cover their medical bills, offer loans to rebuild businesses and help them get jobs.
"We hold big hopes that the government will solve our problems," said Wang Yanjiang, 74, who has been living in a bright blue tent in Mianzhu Stadium since his family's apartment in nearby Hanwang collapsed.
His 42-year-old son, Wang Duoyun, whose small tea shop was destroyed, said he expected to rebuild. "I hear the government will provide low-interest loans for people and a tax-free policy."
The heavy reliance on the central government shows that many people believe that they have no place else to turn. Few Chinese, particularly in rural areas, have life or property insurance. It's hard to get micro-loans for small businesses from banks. And although many citizens have volunteered and donated money to help victims, there are relatively few Chinese nongovernmental organizations, social groups or private programs to deliver disaster relief.
