STORY: Repair work in full swing at flood-affected schools in N China's Hebei
DATELINE: Aug. 28, 2023
LENGTH: 00:01:06
LOCATION: HENGSHUI, China 
CATEGORY: SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of undergoing repair work at a school of Liuchu Township, Raoyang County, Hengshui City
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): YIN JINGLEI, Principal of school in Raoyang County, Hengshui City
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): LI BIN, Official, Education bureau in Raoyang County, Hengshui City

STORYLINE:

From late July to early August, several areas in northern China experienced rare rainfall and floods after typhoons moved inland.

Here in Hengshui City of Hebei Province, one of the country's worst-hit areas, post-disaster reconstruction work is underway in schools to ensure students return to schools as scheduled.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): YIN JINGLEI, Principal of school in Raoyang County, Hengshui City
"Over the past few days, we have been reinforcing the perimeter walls and demolishing and rebuilding the toilets. Based on the current progress, all the work will be finished by Sept. 1, ensuring a regular start of the new semester."

SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): LI BIN, Official, Education bureau in Raoyang County, Hengshui City
"We have prepared plans for relocating students from flood-affected schools. We must ensure that not a single student will be dropped out due to the disaster and that the school environment remains safe and stable for both teachers and students."

Hebei Province aims to complete post-disaster reconstruction within two years, and will ensure that every affected student can return to school by Sept. 1, and the affected population can return home or move into new accommodations before the onset of winter, according to local authorities.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Hengshui, China.
(XHTV)