(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-05-23 07:52

As a large part of the country felt the tremors and experienced great shock, Wen promised the country in front of China Central Television (CCTV) camera that the government would lead the people to win the battle against the earthquake.

"Confronted with the disaster, we need composure, confidence, courage and an effective command," he said with a sober and steadfast attitude.

During the next four days, Wen set foot in almost all of the worst-hit counties, walking over rocks and tiles, comforting weeping children and encouraging rescuers.

Premier Wen Jiabao shakes hands with a soldier in Beichuan County May 22, 2008. The premier started his second visit to the quake-battered zone from Thursday. [Xinhua]

He made it very clear that the top task at the initial stage was to save lives, and he pressed officials and troops very hard to implement rescue work.

Back in Beijing on May 16, Wen did not relax but hosted several key meetings on rescue and relief work.

Observers found that he has presided over at least 13 high-level meetings since the quake.

At these meetings, the topics under discussion ranged from big issues such as the top priorities of the relief task force to tiny details like milk powder for infants.

He stressed prevention of epidemics and handling of victims' corpses, told an expert team to give scientific and technical support to rescue and relief work, and worked out solutions to homeless survivors' problems.

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