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China battles 'coldest winter in 100 years'
 Millions remained stranded in China on Monday ahead of the biggest holiday of the year as parts of the country suffered their coldest winter in a century. Freezing weather has killed scores of people and left travellers stranded before the Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival - the only opportunity many people have to take a holiday all year. It has also brought China unwanted negative publicity six months before the Summer Olympics in Beijing. President Hu Jintao chaired an emergency Politburo meeting on Sunday for the second time in a week to discuss rescue efforts. We have to be clear-minded that the inclement weather and severe disaster will continue to plague certain regions in the south, said a statement issued after Sundays meeting. Relief work will continue to face challenges, posing a tough task. The China Meteorological Administration said the weather was the coldest in 100 years in central Hubei and Hunan provinces, going by the total number of consecutive days of average temperature less than 1 degree Celsius (33.8 degrees Fahrenheit).
Posted by: Fred 2008-02-05 |
