People's interests first

Placing people's interest before every- thing has been the principle the top government and Party leaders reiterated time again - that governments at all levels must improve their governance.

As far as the earthquake in Yushu, Qinghai province is concerned, to save as many lives as possible and do whatever necessary to secure the basic needs of local residents affected are what the local and central government must place before everything else.

To make sure that rescue and relief work can be carried out as smoothly as possible, President Hu Jintao cut short his visit to Brazil, postponed his visit to Chile and Venezuela and headed home immediately after attending the BRIC summit. Premier Wen Jiabao also postponed his visit to Brunei, Indonesia and Myanmar next week and rushed to Yushu on Thursday evening to supervise rescue operations there.