The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) has ordered its troops to go all out to combat the lingering heavy snow in the southern part of the country.

The PLA's Department of General Staff and General Political Department issued a joint decree on Monday, ordering troops in the affected areas to join in the anti-snow battle in collaboration with local governments.

The troops should give whatever assistance local governments require for fighting disaster and in rescuing people, the order said.

So far, 158,000 PLA troops and the Chinese People's Armed Police (PAP) and 303,000 paramilitary members have joined the anti-snow campaign.

The current heavy snowfall has caused unexpected difficulties to local life, production and transport in the affected areas and the country as a whole.

So far, heavy snow and rain have left at least 24 dead and caused enormous financial and property loss.

(Xinhua News Agency January 30, 2008)