Hui, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters, highlighted the threats of natural calamities in summer at Friday's full-member meeting of the headquarters.

In his speech, the official quoted the meteorological reports as saying that part of the country may experience heavy floods this year, while some mountainous areas are suffering from lingering droughts currently.

In the anti-flood and drought efforts, top priority must be given to the lives and safety of the people, he stressed.

Once any natural calamity happens, quick relief work must be done to combat the disaster and well arrange the lives and production of the affected people, as well as help the affected areas to restore production and rebuild homes, the official said.

(Xinhua News Agency July 3, 2004)