The country has almost completed the reconstruction of all power grids, transportation networks and public facilities ravaged by the worst winter storms in 50 years that hit central, southwest and southern regions in January and February, a senior official said on Tuesday.

All grids in central power networks and the majority of those in local power networks have resumed normal operations. Railway, road and air transportation are also back to normal, Zhang Ping, director of the State Development and Reform Commission, said while making a report to the National People's Congress Standing Committee.

As for public facilities, Zhang said the authorities have repaired more than 80 percent of damaged telecommunication lines and 85 percent of water pipelines.

However, he said it might take a longer time for the country to recover form agriculture and forestry losses.

Figures released on Tuesday showed that about 2 million hectares of crops have been replanted in the disaster-stricken areas, but another 670,000 hectares need to be re-cultivated.

About 30 percent of damaged livestock and aquaculture facilities also remain to be fixed, Zhang said.

"Currently, we must focus on the reconstruction of the agriculture and forestry sectors as well as the development of irrigation works," Zhang said.

Zhang said the central government has allocated 29.5 billion yuan (US$4.2 billion) for the reconstruction.

(China Daily April 23, 2008)