Special report: Strong Earthquake Jolts SW China

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (R) greets President Hu Jintao upon Hu's arrival in Mianyang, a city in quake-hit southwestern Sichuan Province, May 16, 2008. President Hu flew to quake-hit southwestern Sichuan Province Friday morning to console the victims and inspect the rescue and relief work.  (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    MIANYANG, Sichuan Province, May 16 (Xinhua) -- Top Chinese leaders on Friday urged continued efforts in quake rescue and relief work and giving top priority to the saving of people's lives.

    Chinese President Hu Jintao arrived at quake-devastated Mianyang City of southwestern Sichuan Province by plane from Beijing at noon.

    In the meeting room of the airport, Hu and Premier Wen Jiabao, who had been directing relief work in the disaster-hit areas since Monday, discussed the quake-relief work.

    During the meeting, Wen briefed Hu on the damages of the quake and the progress of the relief work, the difficulties at present as well as the priorities for the next phase of work.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao greets Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) upon Hu's arrival in Mianyang, a city in quake-hit southwestern Sichuan Province, May 16, 2008.  (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

 

    The meeting said that the previous relief work had been progressing orderly and effectively, which paved a smooth way for the following work. In face of the pressing time, all should continue to work tirelessly and continuously to combat the disaster and minimize the loss.

    The relief work should stick to the principle of "putting people first" and take saving people's lives as the top priority, the meeting said. Uttermost efforts must be made if only there exists the faintest hope of finding survivors.

    The meeting said the extra 30,000 troops ordered earlier must arrive at the sites as soon as possible. Measures must be taken to ensure the rescuers reach not only towns but also all villages as soon as possible.

    Necessary equipment and training must be provided to the rescuers so that they could conduct their work scientifically, the meeting said.

    The survivors who had been rescued must be transferred to safer places in time, and orphans and old bereaved people must be properly cared, the meeting said.

    Meanwhile, close watch must be conducted on possible aftershocks to avoid new casualties, and anti-epidemic work must be stepped up, the meeting said.

    Vice Premier Hui Liangyu and Vice Chairman of Central Military Commission Guo Boxiong also attended the meeting.