Chinese President Hu Jintao visited the southwest municipality of Chongqing over the weekend to inspire locals to fight the flood and summon up the confidence in rebuilding homes.

Hu inspected the destroyed houses in the worst-hit Shapingba District, slogging through inundated streets in black galoshes, and inquired local officials about the loss and post-disaster recovery.

Chongqing experienced the most fierce torrential rains in the past years in mid-July. And ensuing floods, landslides and mud-rock flows killed 42 in the city over the past week.

"You have gone through a lot of hardship," the president told a crowd of locals gathering on the street. "The once-in-a-century rains and floods have destroyed your homes and washed away your belongings. I feel sad as you all, and we must have the determination and courage to get over the disaster."

The president asked local officials to provide enough meal, clothes, accommodation, medication and clean water to the public, and spare no efforts to rebuild roads and recover drinking water and electricity supply.

Hu inspected the People's Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers who helped with the reconstruction work in the city. He expressed gratitude to their great efforts and asked them to carry forward the PLA's courageous and dedicatory traditions.

During his trip, Hu also encouraged local enterprises to enhance competitiveness, and officials to resolve issues with immediate concern to the public.

(Xinhua News Agency July 23, 2007)