Chinese President Arrives in Quake-hit Sichuan
Chinese President Hu Jintao flew to quake-hit southwestern Sichuan Province this morning (May 16) to console victims and inspect rescue and relief work. Hu will also visit the troops and medical workers who are engaged in around-the-clock relief efforts. As of 4 p.m. Thursday, more than 50,000 people are feared dead and the confirmed death toll in Sichuan alone is 19,509.

Wen Stressed Priority of the Relief Work
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said last night (May 15) that rescue operation and disaster relief for victims of the worst earthquake in over three decades are the top priority of the nation, and thus require concerted efforts from the whole country. Wen said that it was even more powerful than the Tangshan earthquake in 1976. The catastrophe in northern Hebei Province claimed about 240,000 lives three decades ago.

CPC Leader Urges Earlier Repair of Railway
Zhou Yongkang, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, has urged repair of the quake-damaged Baoji-Chengdu Railway as soon as possible. Zhou made the remarks Thursday after he inspected a tunnel near Huixian county of Gansu Province, where a 40-car freight train derailed during Monday's quake in southwestern Sichuan Province.

Guangdong Charity Show Scheduled for Tomorrow  
A large-scale charity show will be staged from 4 to 11 p.m. tomorrow night (May 17) on Guangdong TV to collect donations to aid disaster-hit regions. 100 hotlines will be opened to receive donations. Radio Guangdong, Guangdong TV and TVS will have live broadcasts of the show.

5167 Tourists Reported in Disaster-Hit Areas
Director with the Sichuan Tourism Administration Zhanggu said at a press conference that as of 9 p.m. last night (May 15), 5167 tourists were reported in disaster-hit areas during earthquake, of which 832 are foreigners. 44 travelers were confirmed dead, while 2,309 others have been reported safe so far.