China on Monday promulgated the regulation on reconstruction after the May 12 Wenchuan earthquake. It was the first of its kind in the country, specially for a single massive quake, which led the reconstruction work into a legal orbit.

Premier Wen Jiabao on Sunday signed a State Council order to make it effective. Xinhua was authorized to publish the regulation that became effective on Monday.

The regulation, which set guidelines for reconstruction, provided an important legal ground for the reconstruction work of various departments and quake-hit regions, said a spokesman of the Legal Affairs Office of the State Council, China's Cabinet.

He said the regulation was to ensure sound life, production, study and working conditions in quake-affected regions.

Covering nine chapters and 80 stipulations, it included the transitional settlement of quake-hit people, reconstruction planning, assessment, financing, policies, supervision and management and legal obligations.

It also put forward special requirements on earthquake-resistance levels of infrastructure construction in the quake-hit regions, including schools and hospitals.

According to the regulation, related departments should properly arrange the location of temporary housing and their supporting facilities and distribution of funds and materials.

It also made clear governments at all levels should regularly publicize the source, amount, distribution and use of relief capital and goods and receive public supervision.

Audit organs should strengthen checking over the reconstruction capital and goods and regularly make them open to the public.

(Xinhua News Agency June 9, 2008)