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PLA deployed to clear snow-bound roads

China sent nearly half a million soldiers to clear roads as the country struggled yesterday to cope with winter storms that have snarled transportation.

The worst snow and ice blasts in five decades have struck much of central and eastern China for more than two weeks, causing dozens of deaths, collapsing buildings and forcing the closure of highways and airports.

Xinhua said more than 450,000 soldiers from the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and paramilitary forces had been put into action.

For the second straight day, Premier Wen Jiabao (溫家寶) visited affected regions to display government and Chinese Communist Party concern.

"This has been very hard on everyone," Wen said to some of the hundreds of thousands who have been sleeping outdoors in Guangzhou while waiting to board trains.

"All levels of government are working on getting electricity restored. After that, transport will resume," the Yancheng Evening News Web site quoted hims as saying.

Despite the all-out effort, power has been slow to come back on amid continuing bad weather. The problems are likely to continue as the China Meteorological Administration forecast more snow for at least the next three days in parts of eastern and southern China.

Also See: PRC economy struggles under blanket of snow
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