Quote:When this country faces adversity, we come together. I will do anything in my power as an elected official to save the people of Shu and protect their children. In addition to the emergency funding that we will be proposing, I will be personally leading a ground effort to evacuate and feed those on the ground. My entire caucus will be travelling to Shu tonight with fresh water and frozen fish. Our buses will unload at the Hanzhou International Agro Rotary Association Headquarters, and from there we will disperse into rural and coastal Shu Province to devote our labouring will to the people.

Quote:I'd like the people of Indrala to join me in asking the chancellor a question, just as he turns this crisis into a photo-op for his fancy cameras. What are you going to do about the faithful Indralans being skinned alive in Dalibor? I will walk to Dalibor with a sword in my hand even if it takes me a week to get there, if that means that someone in this god forsaken National Conference is going to do something to resolve this crisis and save Indralan lives. We are waiting for you, little man...

Quote:Huang Zitao, Chancellor: Thank you all for gathering here today. Three days ago the Republican Party introduced a bill to transfer $100 billion INS to Shu Province.
This would amount to 12.5% of all government spending, and an increase of nearly 15% to our government spending, in one simple transfer. This would be irresponsible. Further, in keeping with our tradition of evidence-based policy decisionmaking, we decided to listen to local authorities in Shu who have announced damages of around $600 million. Economists have put the figure at around $2 billion, or around 2% of the suggested transfer. Our government will be introducing a relief package of $6 billion to Shu and the surrounding areas to ensure that economic strains are mitigated and reconstruction efforts can get started as soon as possible.

Our thoughts today are also, of course, with the 12 who have perished in this awful storm, and all their families and friends.

Quote:Long Jingyi, Press Secretary to the Chancellor: We have time for four questions.

Quote:Dai Shun, Southern Voice: Thank you Chancellor. The Republican leader and caucus have been leading a ground effort to personally "evacuate and feed" those affected by the typhoon, any response?

Huang Zitao, Chancellor: Thank you for the question Reporter Dai. While we commend the Republican caucus on their attitude toward the tragedy, we hope that the Republicans won't be interfering with our brave first-responders who are there to do their jobs and not be interrupted by politicians. We are happy to see that Mr. Zhang has offered to support financial measures to support Shu.

Quote:Kong Hua, TNN: Zhang Zemin attacked your government's actions toward Dalibor, and personally attacked you, calling you "little man." What do you say to this? How is the government handling the crisis in Dalibor?

*chuckles from media and the Chancellor*
Huang Zitao, Chancellor: ... While the... passion... of Zhang Zemin is certainly something to behold, he has not been in contact with the government in any way on this file. Our government is monitoring the situation very closely, and we will be prepared to respond very shortly. The barbaric slaughter of innocent Indralans in Dalibor is truly reprehensible, and it will end.

Quote:Kong Hua, TNN: Are you planning a military strike against Dalibor?

Huang Zitao, Chancellor: I cannot give much information at this time. We are exploring military options but hope for a diplomatic solution, as always.

Quote:Long Jingyi, Press Secretary to the Chancellor: One more question.

Quote:Qiu Ruogang, Tian'an Times: Some have suggested that the opposition leader's actions in Shu are politically motivated, as the Republicans are plotting a return to their home province in the next election, do you share this belief?

Huang Zitao, Chancellor: I don't doubt Mr. Zhang's convictions in trying to save lives in Shu. Let's not make politics out of this tragedy.

Quote:Long Jingyi, Press Secretary to the Chancellor: Thank you everyone, thanks! The Minister of Environment will be able to respond to further questions regarding the typhoon. Thank you.

Quote:Dr. Dong Zhenkang: I will not be taking any questions, however I will provide you with a brief update on Mr. Zhang. At 2:00am this morning, Mr. Zhang arrived in our emergency ward unconscious and blue in the face. At 2:30am we successfully revived Mr. Zhang and he opened his eyes. At 4:45am he was awake and able to formulate basic sentences, however his speech was impeded by the vast amount of pain killers he was on. We currently have Mr. Zhang under close supervision and will provide further updates as his condition improves.

Quote:Reporter Ming Liu: But wait doctor! How did this happen?!

Quote:Dr. Dong ZhenKang: Mr. Zhang is a very brave man. He managed to save a 3 month old baby from drowning during the peak of the storm. The baby is currently in the intensive care unit and is expected to make it, barring any complications

Quote:I have instructed my Ambassador to the World Congress, Zhou Jiahao, to deliver an ultimatum to belligerents in this conflict; declare an unconditional ceasefire until everyone can be brought to the negotiating table, or the international community, including Indrala, will be forced to step in to ensure peace and stability. These drills are to prepare our forces should the fighters in Dalibor choose the second option.

Quote:If we get involved, it will be in a peacekeeping capacity, absolutely. We must ensure that innocent lives are saved.

Quote:Zhang Zemin: I believe in the military option. 100%. I think we should be considering a nuclear option, to be quite frank. Let's not diddle saddle like little boy Mr. Huang, ok... It is in the best interest of Indralans that we resolve this conflict swiftly and with brute, yet precise force. Life is too short for us to think diplomacy will solve any issues or save any lives. If Huang Zitao's diplomatic tactics were of any use, people would not still be dying. I am a compassionate man with a big heart and a big capacity for love, just ask my wife, but this is getting ridiculous. The Chancellor shouldn't be holding military drills lasting for a mere six days, he should be launching a full scale military campaign!

Quote:Reporter: What do you make of the Chancellor's response to Typhoon Yutu, I mean, you nearly died to save a child, while Huang Zitao observed the conflict from the safety of his home

Zhang Zemin: Well first of all I adore your question, you pretty well answered it for me... get me in touch with your boss okay? But in all seriousness, the Chancellor has a very serious job. I won't claim to have done more than him or to be smarter than him, because I'm the one who nearly got himself killed. What I will say is that a child had a second chance at life because of me, because of our party. That's what I want Indralans to realize. We aren't perfect, but we can start this over with a second chance for our country. The reason you are asking questions like this one is because it is my duty to hold Mr. Huang accountable, and that is what I promise to do for as long as I live. Especially in times of such turbulence, when we are tested the most. In critical times like these, I will hold Mr. Huang accountable.

Quote:The pain in my heart is beyond measure. I cannot help but feel responsible for the damage to this party. I do not deserve your support. *Huang bows*

Quote:Despite Mr. Zhang being the better option for the future of our nation, a change in power at this time would be irresponsible. It also became clear during the campaign that Mr. Zhang is still too ill following his brush with death in Shu to serve in the Chancellory. Additionally, while the leftist policies of the Lotus Party are despicable, the full-on Metzist activism of the NAP is disgusting and dangerous.

Quote:Tonight I extend my gratitude to Zhang Zemin, for the motherland country before party allegiance. Though this is a role I am not certain that I deserve, *voice crack* it is a role I will continue to serve with an apologetic and humble soul, with the goal of maintaining stability in these rocky times.

Quote:Frankly it surprised my colleagues and I. None of us saw it coming. We suspect that the NAP success had to do with discontentment from the Lotus Party base choosing instead to vote for NAP out of protest.

Quote:It's hard to see how a government with just more than a quarter of seats in the National Conference can maintain the confidence of the parliament in the next session without a coalition arrangement. While the Lotus Party was able to manage a minority in the last Conference, they were the largest party. Now, in third place... we'll see.

Quote:I am forever grateful for the thousands of volunteers who have come from around our country and around the world when our fellow countrymen are facing such adversity. Let me assure you today that our government will continue to support this great province as it continues to rebuild bigger and better than ever before. Whenever our citizens, or any people around the world face natural disasters of such a magnitude, we must show and prove our solidarity. To that end, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to my friend, former-President de la Cruz, and the people of Dankuk for being the first to offer their assistance before the Typhoon had even made landfall. I would also like to thank Mr. Bernhart Hofmeister and the United Developmental Assistance Programme for their support during this difficult time. I will be introducing legislation to induct these individuals into the Order of Friendship for their assistance and friendship to our nation.