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| Food warnings amid China freeze | Food warnings amid China freeze |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| China is struggling to cope with its worst snowfall in decades, with officials warning of future food shortages as winter crops are wrecked. | China is struggling to cope with its worst snowfall in decades, with officials warning of future food shortages as winter crops are wrecked. |
| The government is trying to convince people the situation is under control - praising officials and naming three men who died as "revolutionary martyrs". | The government is trying to convince people the situation is under control - praising officials and naming three men who died as "revolutionary martyrs". |
| But forecasters are warning of more snow and urging people not to travel. | But forecasters are warning of more snow and urging people not to travel. |
| The bad weather has affected millions of Chinese keen to return to their home villages over the New Year holiday. | The bad weather has affected millions of Chinese keen to return to their home villages over the New Year holiday. |
| Dozens are thought to have died as much of the country endures one of its harshest winters for half a century. | Dozens are thought to have died as much of the country endures one of its harshest winters for half a century. |
| Scuffles and frustration | Scuffles and frustration |
| Communist Party official Chen Xiwen warned of a serious impact on crop production in the south of the country. | Communist Party official Chen Xiwen warned of a serious impact on crop production in the south of the country. |
| "The impact on fresh vegetables and on fruit in some places has been catastrophic," he said. class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7218242.stm">Misery of stranded millions class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7219479.stm">In pictures: Mayhem in Hunan | |
| "If it heads northward, then the impact on the whole year's grain production will be noticeable." | "If it heads northward, then the impact on the whole year's grain production will be noticeable." |
| Analysts say the destruction of crops will drive up food prices and fuel inflation, which has already risen rapidly over the past year. | Analysts say the destruction of crops will drive up food prices and fuel inflation, which has already risen rapidly over the past year. |
| Meanwhile, officials have been working hard to ensure the public that they are in control of the situation. | Meanwhile, officials have been working hard to ensure the public that they are in control of the situation. |
| State television showed images of army troops working to clear snow, while newspapers published tales of workers' bravery amid the freeze. | State television showed images of army troops working to clear snow, while newspapers published tales of workers' bravery amid the freeze. |
| Three electricians were proclaimed revolutionary martyrs after they died trying to clear snow and ice from power lines in Hunan province. | Three electricians were proclaimed revolutionary martyrs after they died trying to clear snow and ice from power lines in Hunan province. |
| Chinese travellers are trying to get home for the Lunar New YearIn pictures | |
| And on Wednesday, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao visited travellers stranded in the southern city of Guangzhou to apologise for the delays. | And on Wednesday, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao visited travellers stranded in the southern city of Guangzhou to apologise for the delays. |
| More than half a million people, many of them migrant workers, have been unable to leave the city for the Lunar New Year holiday because of a blocked train line. | More than half a million people, many of them migrant workers, have been unable to leave the city for the Lunar New Year holiday because of a blocked train line. |
| Scuffles were reported as frustrated travellers fought for seats on the few trains that did depart from the station. | Scuffles were reported as frustrated travellers fought for seats on the few trains that did depart from the station. |
| Some travellers were unconvinced by Mr Wen's visit. | Some travellers were unconvinced by Mr Wen's visit. |
| "It's nice to know that the state is thinking about us, but I am not optimistic," one would-be traveller, Quan, told Reuters news agency. | "It's nice to know that the state is thinking about us, but I am not optimistic," one would-be traveller, Quan, told Reuters news agency. |
| Power outages | Power outages |
| The snowstorms, which began on 10 January, have affected nearly 80 million people across 14 provinces in the centre and south of the country. | The snowstorms, which began on 10 January, have affected nearly 80 million people across 14 provinces in the centre and south of the country. |
| By the end of Tuesday, at least 38 people had been killed in snow-related accidents such as house collapses and falls, the Ministry of Civil Affairs said, and more have died in traffic accidents. | By the end of Tuesday, at least 38 people had been killed in snow-related accidents such as house collapses and falls, the Ministry of Civil Affairs said, and more have died in traffic accidents. |
| In some areas, people are already experiencing shortages of food as the weather delays deliveries of key commodities. | In some areas, people are already experiencing shortages of food as the weather delays deliveries of key commodities. |
| More than a dozen provinces have also been hit by blackouts due to missed coal deliveries for power stations and rising demand amid the cold. | More than a dozen provinces have also been hit by blackouts due to missed coal deliveries for power stations and rising demand amid the cold. |
| Half a million troops have been deployed to help the relief effort. The army is also distributing quilts and padded coats. | Half a million troops have been deployed to help the relief effort. The army is also distributing quilts and padded coats. |
| Some trains and roads are now moving again, but at least 12 national highways in southern and central regions remain blocked. | Some trains and roads are now moving again, but at least 12 national highways in southern and central regions remain blocked. |
| Services on the key Guangzhou-Beijing line were unlikely to return to normal for several days, officials said. | Services on the key Guangzhou-Beijing line were unlikely to return to normal for several days, officials said. |
| Mr Zheng said that with temperatures unlikely to rise, people should stay at home. | Mr Zheng said that with temperatures unlikely to rise, people should stay at home. |
| "For the sake of their safety, and relieving the stress on transport, I advise migrant workers to stay in the cities where they work," he told China Daily. | "For the sake of their safety, and relieving the stress on transport, I advise migrant workers to stay in the cities where they work," he told China Daily. |
| Have you been affected by the cold weather in southern China? Send us your pictures, some of which may be published. | Have you been affected by the cold weather in southern China? Send us your pictures, some of which may be published. |
| You can send pictures and video to: | You can send pictures and video to: |
| yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here. Click here to see terms and conditions | yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here. Click here to see terms and conditions |
| At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |