China's Wen visits 2008 quake survivors

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BEIJING, Feb. 9 (UPI) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said he was "relieved" to see conditions improving in earthquake-damaged provinces in the northwest, as Lunar New Year arrived.

Wen spent the eve of the new year in Shaanxi and Gansu provinces with residents who had endured a major earthquake in 2008 and devastating mudslides in 2010.

"I feel relieved when I see your life and production conditions have been greatly improved," Wen said Saturday.

Wen urged his audiences to expedite the region's recovery by utilizing resources such as job training to pump up the economy, China's official Xinhua news service said.

The Lunar New Year was marked by celebration throughout China and in Taiwan, where roads and trains in Taipei were crowded with holiday travelers, the China Post said.

Taiwan's National Freeway Bureau said it added extra personnel to help direct traffic and operate toll booths to keep things moving on the roads.