First priority is to save people: Premier Wen

YUSHU, Qinghai, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Thursday called for unremitting efforts to save people's lives in a visit to the quake-hit area in northwest China's Qinghai Province.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (R) visits a Tibetan woman in Yushu, northwest China's  Qinghai Province, April 15, 2010. Wen arrived here on Thursday to inspect the disaster relief work and visit quake-affected local people. (Xinhua/Fan Rujun)

"The top priority is to save people. We will never give up even if there is only a slim hope," Wen told a meeting at the quake-relief headquarters in Yushu.

Wen arrived in Yushu prefecture Thursday afternoon after a three-hour flight and rushed to the worst-affected areas.

He visited the ruins triggered by the quake and a local hospital to inspect the rescue work, expressing his sympathy to families of the victims.

Wen stressed that efforts should also be exerted to strengthen medical care, ensure the basic livelihood of local people, rebuild infrastructure, guard against aftershocks and release information openly.

The 7.1-magnitude quake, which struck the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Yushu in southern Qinghai Province early Wednesday has left 760 dead, 243 missing and more than 10,000 injured as of 5 p.m. Thursday.