May 15, 2008
China grain reserves safe after earthquake
China's grain reserves in regions hit by a recent earthquake were safe, the China Grain Reserves Corporation said Wednesday.
The corporation said that there has been no loss of grain in the depots in Sichuan, Gansu provinces and Chongqing Municipality, which were stricken by a 7.8-magnitude tremor on Monday.
However, the company confirmed that some roof beam ruptures, cracks on walls and distorted insulating layers were seen at some warehouses under the jurisdiction of its Chengdu branch, which covers Sichuan, Chongqing and Tibet Autonomous Region.
Similar problems occurred at depots under the Lanzhou branch that manages grain reserves in Gansu and Qinghai provinces, but with no loss of grain, the company reiterated.
On Tuesday, China's State Administration of Grain asked the company to distribute reserves to ensure supplies for disaster-hit regions.
The National Development and Reform Commission asked local governments to crack down on profiteering from the earthquake.
The commission ordered for stronger monitoring of prices in affected areas, saying local governments could employ temporary price interventions.
