Authorities in swift response to quake

The central Government's reaction to the Hebei earthquake was much faster than that to the Yunnan disaster two years ago.

Soldiers, medical teams and supplies were dispatched to Hebei within hours of Saturday's tragedy.

Xinhua said 2.14 million yuan (HK$1.99 million) worth of goods and funds had arrived at the quake-hit areas or were on their way to Zhangjiakou, where the relief operation was centred.

Relief materials included 1,200 tents, 21,085 cotton overcoats and quilts, 15,000 kilograms of food and supplies of medicine.

The Hebei Provincial Government had allocated 500,000 yuan for relief work.

Hebei Vice-Governor Yang Qian and Deputy Party Secretary Xu Yongyue went to the area to co-ordinate the rescue and relief operation.