China marks Sichuan quake anniversary (Roundup)

Beijing - Chinese President Hu Jintao on Tuesday laid a white chrysanthemum at a memorial to victims of last year's Sichuan earthquake, leading the nation in mourning the 87,000 dead and missing. Hu and other senior leaders of China's ruling Communist Party travelled to Sichuan for a memorial ceremony in Yingxiu town, Wenchuan county, which was at the epicentre of the 7.9-magnitude quake on May 12, 2008. Hu gave condolences to families of people killed in the quake and to those who died while taking part in rescue efforts inside dangerous buildings and over treacherous mountain terrain. In a speech broadcast live by the state-run China Central Television on the first anniversary of the disaster, he expressed 'respect and gratitude' to all civilians and members of the armed forces who took part in relief and reconstruction efforts. Hu and hundreds of others at the ceremony stood in silent tribute to the victims at 2:28 pm (0628 GMT), the time when the quake began. Similar ceremonies were held at several other Sichuan towns devastated by the quake. Many cities in other parts of China held events on Tuesday for the anniversary, which will be marked annually as Disaster Prevention and Reduction Day. Provincial capitals including Harbin, Wuhan, Taiyuan and Guiyang drilled students in evacuation procedures, fire extinguishing and first aid, state media said. Hu said reconstruction in Sichuan was based on the principles of 'putting people first and respecting nature.' 'The post-quake reconstruction has registered important progress, and the quake survivors are marching toward a new life,' he said. Hu also thanked the global community for supporting relief and reconstruction efforts after the quake. 'The assistance from the international community strongly supported China's disaster relief and reconstruction efforts, showcased grand humanitarianism and sincere friendship with the Chinese people,' state media quoted Hu as saying in an earlier speech to 30 diplomats who were invited to Sichuan Monday. China said it had received relief cash and goods valued at 76.7 billion yuan (11.2 billion dollars) from local and international donors after the quake. In his speech Monday, Hu noted that nations including Russia and Japan also sent rescue workers and doctors to quake-hit areas. In the weeks after the quake, governments, groups and individuals from about 160 nations and international organizations sent funds and relief materials, he said. China used the international aid for projects such as rebuilding homes, roads, schools, hospitals and other important infrastructure, Hu said. It employed 'vigorous oversight' to ensure effective use of international donations, Hu told the diplomats and representatives from the United Nations and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.