Press conference: China fights snow disaster

Authorities are struggling to limit snow-related damage across large parts of China. At an emergency press conference, transportation, electricity, and communication officials said they are all taking emergency steps to deal with the disaster.

The Ministry of Civil Affairs says the sweeping snowstorms that hit China's central and southern regions over the past two weeks, have killed at least 60 people and caused nearly 54 billion yuan, or 7.5 billion US dollars in damages.

The first priority is to transfer hundreds of thousands passengers stranded at railway stations and on expressways

The key railway line between Beijing and Guangzhou has been restored. Railway authorities say half of the 800,000 stranded passengers in Guangzhou station have boarded trains heading home for the Spring Festival. In order to resume services on all lines as soon as possible, more diesel locomotives will be used to get through areas hit by power shortages.

Expressways and airlines have also been disrupted and are expected to resume normal service soon as more emergency measures are taken.