By Ma Wei and Li Fangfang (China Daily)
Updated: 2008-05-21 07:14

CHONGQING: It was the third train carrying the injured to reach Chongqing municipality. But it won't be the last.

The trains carrying quake survivors have united the municipality with its parent province of Sichuan, from which it was carved out a decade ago.

Yong Xiaorong, of Anxian county in Sichuan, could not hold her tears when she heard the words of encouragement from the hundreds of people who had gathered outside Chongqing's north railway station yesterday to welcome the injured. She considered herself fortunate to take the seven-hour journey from Mianyang, one of the worst hit areas.

"I will never forget their love. And to honor their concern, I promise to live a confident life," said the 29-year-old nurse who lost her left leg in the quake.

Altogether 293 injured, most of who had one or more of their limbs amputated, reached Chongqing yesterday, taking their total number to 1,622, the local health board said.

Ten of Chongqing's top hospitals will make 5,000 beds available for the injured.

Yuan Xiaowei, an 18-year-old member of the Qiang ethnic minority and a student of Beichuan middle school is confident about future. "I'm still looking forward to entering a university next year," said the sophomore who has lost his right hand.

"We have taken over the injured in the quake-hit areas. So we'll continue with their motto of never giving up hope," said Duan Min, senior nurse of Chongqing Southwest Hospital.

(China Daily 05/21/2008 page4)