BEIJING, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) -- The Communist Party of China (CPC) has called for scientific and orderly efforts to resettle displaced people and rebuild in the quake zone in southwest China's Yunnan Province.
The instructions were carried in a statement released after a Wednesday meeting of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, presided over by General Secretary Xi Jinping.
A 6.5-magnitude earthquake in Ludian, Yunnan on Aug. 3, killed more than 600 people and destroyed 80,000 homes.
"Post-quake reconstruction should be scientific and based on a thorough and objective evaluation of losses," the statement said, stressing quake resistance for reconstructed buildings.
The severe damage and death toll have been blamed on the poor construction of buildings, dense population and the quake's shallow epicenter.
Shortly after the quake, the China Earthquake Administration revealed that most rural houses in the area were made of brick or wood, and not designed to be resistant to quakes.
"Competent medical teams must be organized to save critically-injured people and reduce deaths and the number of disabled people with the utmost effort... Preparations should be made to ensure local people can live through the winter safely," the statement said.
While emphasizing the necessity of basic food and living supplies, it urged health workers to safely dispose of waste and clean up the environment to prevent outbreaks of epidemics.
Wednesday's statement noted that reconstruction should take into account environmental protection and the country's urbanization and rural upgrade drives. The top priorities should be given to residential buildings, schools and hospitals.
Repair of infrastructure should ensure smooth traffic and the availability of water, electricity and telecommunications, the meeting was told.
School repairs and reconstruction must be finished so that primary and middle school students can start the autumn semester in September as scheduled.
While the government vowed to lend greater support to reconstruction, input from non-government groups or individuals is encouraged and local people should be guided in their own efforts to get back to normal, the statement said.