(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-05-16 07:59

Standing in rain showers, he yelled to the children through a crack: "I am grandpa Wen Jiabao. You will certainly pull through and be rescued."

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (front) walks past debris during an inspection in Muyu Township, Qingchuan County, southwest China's Sichuan Province May 15, 2008. Qingchuan County is one of the worst-hit areas in Sichuan Province. Premier Wen is here to oversee rescue work and visit survivors. [Xinhua]

On late Monday evening after hours of travel and work, as drizzle fell, Wen walked over mud and debris at a local hospital and middle school where patients and students were trapped under collapsed buildings.

"If only there is the slightest hope, we will spare no effort; if only there is one survivor in the debris, we will not give up," he said over the debris of the school building that buried more than 100 students.

Special coverage: Strong Earthquake Jolts SW China Related readings:  Wen continues inspection in quake-hit Guangyuan  Wen orders delployment of 90 more helicopters  Premier Wen oversees quake rescue in Beichuan  Wen: We need calm, confidence, courage  Saving lives top priority - Premier Wen

To the bodies of victims temporarily placed on the school yard, Wen bowed three times as he had done at the funeral of three technicians who died while repairing damaged electricity transmission lines in the winter disaster early this year.

"Your pain is our pain. We are here to help you," he told the victims of Beichuan County.

In Yingxiu County, where 70 to 80 percent of buildings were toppled, rescue work has just started.

"The Communist Party of China Central Committee has not forgotten this place. We will try every method to save the injured," said Wen, reaching out to the victims who were waiting to be airlifted to hospitals as soon as he flew into the town by helicopter on Wednesday afternoon.

On the CCTV website, people created a forum called "Premier Wen, We love you."

Omgomg, a netizen, wrote in a post: "Premier Wen Jiabao always appears where he is most needed at the right time, raises public morale and assures us with confidence. How could we not love him?"

BUSY HEADQUARTERS

It was not the first time that Wen was seen at the front lines when the government was facing a challenge to lead a large part of the country through a disaster.

In 2003, he visited SARS wards when the government was working all out to control the epidemic; earlier this year, he trekked slippery roads to oversee relief work when half of the country struggled through the worst snow and ice storms in 50 years.

People expect Wen's emotional face as well as effective and steadfast actions.

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