Supplies of both food and other goods are now stable in Sichuan Province. The only remaining problems are with limited access to several of the more remote villages. That was according to Commerce Minister Chen Deming on Thursday.

Commerce Minister Chen Deming

Chen Deming said the earth quake damaged over 50,000 commodity supply outlets. The direct losses as a result of the damage amount to more than 20 billion yuan.

The Ministry of Commerce is sparing no effort to organize transport of disaster relief materials. Business at over 17,000 commercial outlets in Sichuan, Gansu and Chongqing has already recovered.

Chen Deming notes however, many roads remain blocked to small villages. The ministry intends to treat the matter as urgent, and will deliver essentials to all places in need.

Chen Deming said, "We must make an effort to ensure the delivery of supplies to quake-hit areas. And we want to restore local commodity supplies as soon as possible."

The ministry is asking 15 large national retailers to set up outlets in quake-hit areas. Business at the county level and above is expected to be restored to normal by the end of May.

Chen Deming also notes that the most badly damaged areas are in the mountains. Thus the impact of the quake on the nation's food supply and even the food supply in Sichuan Province is expected to be minimal.

(CCTV May 26, 2008)