Beichuan Middle School was among the hardest-hit schools in the May 12 earthquake. Wen visited students and teachers at the school three times prior to the Monday event.
![]() |
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (R front) attends the opening of the temporary site of Beichuan Middle School located in the courtyard of the Changhong training center in Mianyang, China's quake-hit Sichuan Province, Sept. 1, 2008. A new semester started on Monday. |
"The quake brought considerable misfortunes, and it brought experience and strength, too. Now we know one thing, and it's that as long as we choose to confront adversity with courage, we will surely overcome any disaster.
"As we hold this ceremony, we can never forget the students and teachers who died in the disaster ... I hope all of you at the school will win respect and pride with hard work and tough spirits. I believe you can do it."
The temporary Beichuan Middle School is located in the courtyard of the Changhong training center in Sichuan's Mianyang City.
![]() |
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (4th L) attends the opening of the temporary site of Beichuan Middle School located in the courtyard of the Changhong training center in Mianyang, China's quake-hit Sichuan Province, Sept. 1, 2008 |
Upon departure, Wen told teacher Li Jun to give his best regards to those of Li's students who took this year's college entrance exams in tents. Among the 69 students in Li's class, more than 50 went to college.
The May 12 earthquake killed more than 69,000 people with nearly 18,000 still missing.
![]() |
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (L front) attends the opening of the temporary site of Beichuan Middle School located in the courtyard of the Changhong training center in Mianyang, China's quake-hit Sichuan Province, Sept. 1, 2008 |
The municipal government of hard-hit Panzhihua City, Sichuan announced on Monday that schools and kindergartens would not open for another week