China's top leadership has adopted a special policy requiring that every earthquake-affected county will be financially supported by a provincial-level administrative region in its rebuilding efforts.

The Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Political Bureau made this decision at its Thursday meeting here, which was presided over by CPC Central Committee General Secretary Hu Jintao.

At the meeting, the Party leadership looked back at the nationwide relief efforts since the earthquake in Sichuan Province on May 12. To date, the death toll has reached 69,127.

The meeting declared a major victory in the first stage of fighting the powerful earthquake, measuring 8.0 on the Richter scale, the largest since the founding of the People's Republic in 1949.

The Party pledged to mobilize the nation in rehabilitating seriously affected areas, by bringing the political advantages of the country's socialistic system into full play.

It ordered the provinces and municipalities involved in the rebuilding project to support the affected counties in various forms, including labor, materials, money and intelligence, under the unitary plan of the central authorities.

Priority should be given to restoring the basics of life for the affected people, while rebuilding infrastructure, public facilities and housing as well as professional training, support and services with the help of scientists and technicians.

While ordering these provincial donors to aid the affected counties, the Party leadership also asked the recipients to keep in mind the principle of being self-reliant and hard-working.

Thousands of construction workers have arrived in the affected areas from across the country to help restore normal life and production and build temporary shelter for homeless.

(Xinhua News Agency June 5, 2008)