Beijing

Drones capture images of quake-hit regions

China has dispatched five drones to take high-altitude photographs of quake-hit areas, according to the National Administration of Surveying, Mapping and Geoinformation. The administration has already obtained satellite images of pre-disaster Lushan county, of Ya'an city in Sichuan province, through the Ziyuan III satellite. It has published satellite images of quake-hit and adjacent areas on www.tianditu.cn, and will publish the latest drone images when they are available. The administration will use the images to quickly compile maps to help with relief work.

Expressways open to vehicles for free

All expressways leading to the areas hit by Saturday's earthquake in Sichuan are open without tolls, according to Ministry of Transport. Spokesman of the Ministry of Transport He Jianzhong said two sections of the Beijing-Kunming expressway, which pass through Ya'an, are now the main roads for outside vehicles to enter Lushan county, the epicenter of the magnitude-7 earthquake. Other roads leading to the county have been blocked while repairs are underway.

Airlines deploy planes for quake relief work

Two of the largest air companies in China have set aside 15 passenger airplanes, three cargo planes and three helicopters for rescue efforts taking place in Ya'an, Sichuan province. China Southern Airlines, which has nine passenger airplanes, three cargo planes and two helicopters on call for the rescue efforts, has deployed a Boeing 737 from Zhengzhou to Luoyang to airlift emergency workers to the provincial capital, Chengdu. China Eastern Airlines, another major air carrier, has set aside six passenger planes and one helicopter for rescue efforts.

International community mourns with China

Many countries on Saturday conveyed condolences to China over the deadly earthquake in Southwest China's Sichuan province. In a message sent to Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin offered condolences on Saturday over the devastating earthquake and said that Russia is willing to provide assistance. In another a message to Xi, Tanzanian President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete expressed deep condolences. The French foreign ministry said on Saturday that France is ready to help the Chinese government to provide any assistance needed. Meanwhile, countries including Germany, Japan, the United States, Thailand and Nepal also conveyed condolences to China over the quake in various forms.

Sichuan

Airport and trains up and running again

Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, Southwest China's busiest airport, resumed normal operation at about 9:10 am on Saturday, after shutting down for about one hour for safety inspections. Other airports in the province made similar checks of runways and equipment, and a total of 53 flights landed at alternative airports or returned to their place of origin, aviation officials said. No railways passengers or staff were injured by the earthquake, China Railway Corporation said on Saturday. The Chengdu railway bureau stopped all trains after the quake but restored railway traffic at 2:46 pm.

Taipei

Taiwan says rescue teams ready to help

Taiwan's Red Cross Society said on Saturday that medical and rescue teams are on stand-by to assist the mainland's efforts in earthquake-stricken Sichuan province. Two rescue teams in Taipei and Kaohsiung are standing by to assist when requested by the mainland, an official with the society told Xinhua. Chen said disaster relief materials such as blankets, tents and sleeping bags have been packed for delivery, and rescue gear such as life detectors and excavating equipment will be included if necessary. Meanwhile, rescue teams arranged by the island's fire agency are also ready to help with rescue work. Ma Shaw-chang, spokesman of Taiwan-based Straits Exchange Foundation, said more than 360 tourists from Taiwan were in the province when the earthquake hit. They are all safe.

China Daily - Xinhua

(China Daily 04/21/2013 page2)