Vice Premier Li Keqiang has highlighted the importance of relief work in the wake of southwest China earthquake, calling it the government's top priority.

"Go all out and make careful arrangements to rescue the trapped and affected people, ensure basic necessities for the people, and try every means to minimize the losses," said Li, a member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Political Bureau and deputy head of the General Headquarters for Earthquake Relief.

Li has presided over a series of meetings to organize relief efforts in areas hit by Monday's quake, which measured 7.8 on the Richter scale and was centered on Wenchuan, Sichuan Province.

Vice Premier Hui Liangyu addressed Wednesday's meeting, after cutting short an overseas trip to return home and take up the post of co-deputy head of the General Headquarters for Earthquake Relief on Monday.

CPC Central Committee General Secretary Hu Jintao has issued instructions on the relief work and Premier Wen Jiabao rushed to the affected areas hours after the earthquake occurred.

On May 12, Li summoned leaders of 42 central government departments to organize relief efforts, which have been jointly carried out by military and civilian authorities.

Li urged central departments and local governments to implement Hu's instructions and the arrangements made by the General Headquarters for Earthquake Relief headed by Premier Wen Jiabao.

Li called for close coordination between military and paramilitary rescuers, police, medical workers and civilian emergency workers in the affected areas. Every effort must be made to distribute equipment and tools for the relief work, and send more daily necessities like bottled water, food, tents and clothes and blankets, he said.

Li said it was crucial to repair damaged traffic and power and water supply facilities.

It is crucial to prevent secondary disasters, he said, calling for security measures to ensure the safety of reservoirs and drinking water, and to prevent contamination by dangerous chemicals and geological disasters like mudslides.

Li said market supplies and stable prices must be guaranteed, along with social order and stability.

(Xinhua News Agency May 14, 2008)