Millions of people have been left homeless by the earthquake. On Thursday, President Hu Jintao flew to Zhejiang Province in the east of China to inspect the production of desperately needed tents.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (Front L 2nd) talks to the employees of a tent factory in Huzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, on May 22, 2008. Hu Jintao visited two tent manufacturers in east China's Zhejiang Province on Thursday, urging them to produce as many as possible to meet the needs of the quake survivors. (Xinhua Photo)

The earthquake destroyed millions of houses and some three million tents are urgently needed for survivors. The central government has demanded an all-out effort to send 900,000 tents to the affected areas within one month. Factories are working around the clock, trying to meet this urgent demand.

President Hu Jintao arrived in Huzhou city on Thursday afternoon to urge rapid and effective production.

Hu Jintao thanked the workers for their efforts and urged them to produce as many tents as possible to meet the needs of the earthquake survivors. He also urged them to ensure the quality of their products.

Hu Jintao was told many of the workers there came from the quake hit region of Sichuan.

Hu Jintao said "Now in your home province Sichuan, what the people need most is tents. More than 12-million survivors have been relocated. They desperately need tents to resettle their lives. Your factory is carrying out the task of producing tents. Every one of us should share the anxiety of quake affected people and try to help them overcome problems. Each new tent you produce here will help several people in your province to resettle as soon as possible. We hope you will work hard and complete the task of producing 50-thousand tents as soon as possible, to contribute to the relief effort."

He also talked to the manager of the factory.

Hu Jintao said "The central government is placing great hope in tent manufacturers like you. We hope you work hard, ensuring quantity and quality. If possible, try to accomplish the task ahead of time. "

After the visit, Hu Jintao said all tent manufactures should produce as many high-quality tents as possible. He called for them to be swiftly transported and for all related government departments to maintain coordination to support production of the tents.

(CCTV May 23, 2008)