China's Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said in Beijing on Monday it is putting 500 vending vans in quake-hit areas to ensure adequate delivery and supply of goods.

It also planned to gradually set up 3,000 temporary sales sheds and 5,000 business outlets in major villages and refugee centers, the ministry said.

"To resume business operations is an important part of the reconstruction work, and the MOC is to actively engage in this endeavor," said Chang Xiaocun, director of the Market Construction Department of the MOC, while inspecting the situation in the southwest Sichuan Province. The area was hit by an 8.0-magnitude earthquake on May 12.

More than 600 shops had resumed business in Mianzhu City, one of the worst hit places. Some peddlers had started to sell food, vegetables, tea and cigarettes on main avenues and near refugee centers.

(Xinhua News Agency May 27, 2008)