Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Monday that late leader Jiang Zemin had made "indelible contributions" to the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks while addressing a grand gathering held at Beijing's Great Hall of the People to commemorate the birth centenary of Jiang.
"Comrade Jiang Zemin's life was a glorious and fighting one. He devoted his entire life to the struggle for national independence, people's liberation, the realization of national prosperity and people's happiness. He led and promoted the economic, political and cultural-ethical development as well as Party building and achieved remarkable new progresses that attracted worldwide attention. He made indelible contributions to safeguarding the great cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics, breaking new ground in reform and opening up in all respects, achieving overall moderate prosperity in people's lives and successfully advancing the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics into the 21st century. He won the heartfelt love of the entire Party, the entire military, and the people of all ethnic groups throughout the country, and widespread praise from the international community," Xi said.
Xi lauds "indelible contributions" by late leader Jiang Zemin
Xi lauds "indelible contributions" by late leader Jiang Zemin
A major relief supply distribution center is operating around the clock at the western edge of the city of Pereira, capital of Colombia's Risaralda Department, sorting and dispatching aid to the neediest affected communities following a devastating earthquake.
The quake struck cities across western Colombia at 7:34 local time on Aug. 10, leaving at least 289 people dead, 3,935 injured and 320 missing, according to data released by the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD) on Sunday. Pereira is one of the most severely impacted cities in the region.
At the largest relief supply distribution hub in Risaralda Department, from dawn until late into the night, supplies ranging from food and drinking water to medical provisions and daily necessities, arriving from across the country and even internationally, keep pouring in. The relief supplies are quickly sorted, packed, and dispatched to the victims who need them most.
"The volume of supplies is increasing, and we hope to receive even more because the demand is truly enormous. In the past couple of days, for instance, we have experienced shortages of some food packages. We still need grains, new undergarments, basic toiletries, and protective masks, and these are running low. In short, the needs are quite urgent right now. Almost everything that an ordinary household requires is needed," said Viviana Lucía Barney, a staff member of the Municipal Government of Pereira.
From morning to night, the center has been bustling not only with officials but also with waves of volunteers who have stepped forward on their own initiative. Over the past five days, more than 1,500 volunteers have contributed their time and energy, working in rotating shifts to handle everything from hauling cargo to sorting and packing.
"Seeing the ruins, seeing people who have lost family members, lost their homes, and seeing how many have lost everything, it truly breaks my heart. This disaster has also given us many ways to get involved in the relief work. We are volunteering from 6:00 to midnight, but everyone divides the shifts according to different time slots," said a volunteer.
Relief hub works non-stop to distribute vital supplies in Colombia after earthquake
