(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-05-21 20:13

BEIJING  -- Emergency grocery markets have been opened in southwest China's quake zone as the country shifts its focus from rescue efforts to relief work and reconstruction for the millions of homeless survivors ten days after the disaster.

The State Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC) said on Wednesday that the Sichuan office had opened the markets at places near temporary accommodation sites to provide daily necessities like vegetables and meat.

Luoshui grocery market was the first to open in Shifang City, one of the worst-hit cities in the May 12 quake.

The spartan 600-square-meter facility started operation on Monday after more than 80 People's Liberation Army soldiers and local commerce officials worked two days to complete this makeshift market.

About 30 grocers, at the invitation of local commerce officials, were trading on Monday at the market, where a comprehensive range of vegetables, meat and daily necessities were displayed.

"We are here to help people restart normal lives," said Liu Wenbing. He and his wife had arranged deliveries of fresh vegetables from regular suppliers early on Monday.

"I'm not here to earn money, but to reassure people," said grocer Chen Jiaming, 46, who lost his 17-year-old daughter in the quake.

Vegetables and meat were selling at about the same prices or even lower than that in other unaffected areas: for instance, 24 yuan (3.4 US dollars) for a kilo of pork and 1.6 yuan for a kilo of green peppers.

About 1,000 appreciative customers visited the market on Monday morning.

The SAIC has opened grocery markets in some other quake areas to provide daily necessities for quake survivors.

The SAIC encouraged grocers to resume business by exempting them from all charges and allowing them to start business before obtaining a license. It also vowed to keep market order and prevent illegal price hikes.