NANJING, Aug. 5, 2008 -- Over the past two days, Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu toured Anhui and Jiangsu provinces to express concern over disasters caused by heavy rains and floods.

The vice premier, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, visited military rescuers and local residents in the two eastern provinces, on behalf of CPC Central Committee General Secretary Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao.

Anhui was one of the areas most affected by Typhoon Fung Wong in recent days.

In Chuzhou City, Anhui, Hui talked with rescuers including soldiers, police and militia and praised their relief work. He encouraged affected residents to be self-reliant and rebuild their homes.

Local governments should help people restore production and ensure their daily life with enough food, clothes, shelter, drinking water and medical services, Hui said. He called for stepped-up efforts to reinforce local anti-flooding facilities.

The vice premier said it was crucial to fight floods in many parts of China and local governments must remain highly vigilant. Meteorological and hydrological departments should closely monitor conditions to provide decision-makers with reliable information, he said.