China Approves Reports on Quake Relief Work, Reconstruction Plan
China yesterday (Jun 26) passed a report on relief work and reconstruction following the May 12 earthquake in southwest Sichuan and some neighboring provinces. The decision was made at the third session of the Standing Committee of the 11th National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature. According to the plan, the country will spend three years completing preliminary reconstruction, further developing the quake-hit region in the following five years.

Leaders Met Public Face to Face Yesterday 
Guangzhou mayors and heads of the city's subordinated districts, bureaus and counties listened to public opinion in face to face meetings yesterday (June 26), the first ever move on such a large scale in China. Our journalist Chang Zhifeng has more.
Thousands of citizens gathered to have their say. Most of them came to wait in line very early in the morning, some even arriving at midnight. One citizen said:
"I came to wait in line at 4:00 am, and the mayors gave us a warm reception."
Most of the citizen concerns focused on resettlement, housing, and medical and labor insurance. Some reception venues postponed their finishing times from 11 am to 3 pm. One citizen who spoke to the mayors said:
"We are very satisfied and we appreciate it. I'd like to represent all everyone in thanking Su, our city vice mayor."
With so many citizens ready to wait for so long to have their say, the mayors felt an even greater responsibility. Guangzhou mayor Zhang Guangning said:
"I believe that mayors and the heads of the city, districts, bureaus and counties who received appeals from citizens feel a heavy responsibility. But we will work out these problems. These are the earnest hopes of our people."

(Photo from Radio Guagndong)


Citizens waiting for appealing. (Photos from dayoo.com)

Five Sichuan Pandas Arrive in Guangzhou
Five pandas from earthquake-stricken Sichuan arrived at Guangzhou Baiyun Airport at 6:00pm yesterday. These pandas, born in 2005 are all healthy and will reside in the Guangzhou Panyu Xiangjiang Safari Park for the next three years.

The pandas arrived at Guangzhou Baiyun Airport yesterday

(Photos from dayoo.com)