Hu calls for increased rescue efforts
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The authorities say 60,000 people have now been rescued. (AFP)
China's President Hu Jintao has ordered an increase of earthquake relief efforts in south-west China.
The President has joined Premier Wen Jiabao, who has been in the area since Monday, personally directing the massive response to what the Government is calling China's worst natural disaster in 60 years.
Mr Hu said it was now a race against time and said all difficulties must be overcome to achieve a final victory in the relief effort.
He said saving lives was the top priority but no efforts should be spared in treating the injured and restoring damaged infrastructure.
He was met at the airport in Mianyang near the epicentre of the earthquake by Mr Wen, who earlier told the state media that the earthquake was the biggest natural disaster since the founding of the communist state in 1949.
He said the critical period for saving the lives of those still buried was not over and rescuers would not give up while there was the slightest chance of finding survivors.
"The government thanks you. The people need you all," he told the rescue workers.
"We hope that in the people's most difficult times you will not be afraid of difficulty. Don't be afraid to sacrifice and contribute everything to rescue people."
Miracle rescue
Meanwhile, rescuers pulled a student from the rubble of his collapsed school 80 hours after a devastating earthquake hit the country.
The authorities say 60,000 people have now been rescued, as search teams in China race against time to find more survivors of Monday's earthquake.
The vice governor of Sichuan province, Li Chengyun, has told a news conference in Chengdu that China is coping with the rescue efforts.
"We have not asked for help from outside of China," he said.
"After reforming and opening up we have strengthened our abilities.
"The Chinese people and the government have the ability to deal with this type of disaster, but we have also accepted the offer of help from Japanese earthquake rescue experts to come to Sichuan."
- ABC/BBC
