Troops who took part in the fight against the floods in the Huaihe and Weihe river valleys and in other areas were commended days ago by the Headquarters of the General Staff and the General Political Department of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA).

Since China entered flood season this year, continuous rainstorms have made it the most serious flooding in the Huaihe River valleys the country has seen since 1954. And floods of different levels also appeared in Jiangsu, Hunan, Guangxi, Sichuan, Shaanxi, Hubei and Gansu provinces. Chinese troops and militia quickly rushed to fight against the floods. A total of 48,000 soldiers, 410,000 militia, 3,300 cars and 351 boats were dispatched. They helped evacuate 1.2 million people, settle 1,400 dangerous situations, reinforce 2,800 kilometer of dykes and save 450,000 tons of materials.

Soldiers and militia struggled in stiflingly hot days, showing their bravery and selflessness. Officials of different levels actively took part in the fight. About 50 generals went to the frontlines to guide flood diversion, dyke reinforcement, succors and crisis management. More than 1,400 officials at division and corps levels worked together with soldiers and militia. Whenever crisis occurred, Party members always ran to the front. Their hard work and spirit of selflessness won support and praise of people and governments in flooded areas.

(China.org.cn by Feng Yikun, September 13, 2003)