Call for efforts to return flood-hit areas to normalcy
Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing has called for concerted efforts to help flood-hit regions on the mainland return to normalcy as soon as possible. Zhang, who's also a Politburo member, made the comment as he inspected Hebei province on Monday. He visited temporary shelters in the city of Zhuozhou, one of the worst-affected areas in the province. The vice premier said while floodwaters were receding, local authorities should stay alert and continue to improve dyke patrols and emergency response, and prevent secondary disasters such as landslides.  Meanwhile, the Ministry of Water Resources said the Songhuajiang river in northeastern China reported its first flood this year on Monday. The ministry urged local authorities to improve monitoring and early warning. (Additional reporting by Xinhua)