Chinese President, Hu Jintao, has inspected two of the areas worst-hit by Monday's earthquake. On Friday, he offered his sympathy to survivors, and urged rescue workers to keep saving lives.

Time is running out for those still trapped. The President flew to the worst-hit areas as the estimated death toll was raised to over 50 thousand.

During the flight, Hu Jintao observed the quake damage and the progress of rescue work. He said more than 72 hours had passed since the quake struck but saving lives must remain the top priority for rescuers.

Hu said comprehensive rescue and relief work has been launched and is proceeding "effectively". "We need to make greater efforts to treat the injured, restore transport links, telecommunications and power supply infrastructure in quake-stricken areas, and we must ensure basic living conditions for local residents. Rescue and relief work has now entered the most crucial phase. We must make every effort, race against time and overcome all difficulties to save lives and rebuild homes," said Hu.

Arriving in Mianyang, President Hu Jintao held a meeting with senior leaders who were already there, including Premier Wen Jiabao, who has been overseeing rescue for 5 days since the quake hit.

Hu Jintao then went to the severely-hit Beichuan County after the briefing, consoling survivors and directing disaster relief operations.

Most of the houses in the county's worst-hit town of Leigu were flattened by the massive earthquake. Hu Jintao walked into a temporary shelter for survivors and asked about their situation.

Hu Jintao said, "The central government has called on the whole country to take part in the rescue and relief work in the earthquake-hit areas in various ways. I assure you that rescuers will try their best to save lives and treat the injured. Then the government will help you rebuild your homes."

Hu also called on people to be strong in the face of disaster. Hu said, "I heard that you've lost many relatives in this earthquake. I feel as pained and sad as you are. But we should hold on and be strong in facing this serious difficulty. We should have faith in ourselves."

The President then went to Beichuan Middle School, which was flattened when the quake struck and trapped nearly all its students.

There are still 300 of them buried in the rubble. Soldiers and armed police are making all-out efforts to save them. Hu Jintao ordered rescuers to keep saving lives and thanked them for their hard work.

In a temporary clinic, Hu offered his deepest sympathy to a little girl who lost her mother in the earthquake.

On his way to the Beichuan County town, the road was partially blocked by rocks. President Hu walked into the downtown area.

In front of the wreckage, Hu called on rescue workers to make use of every second to save as many people as possible.

During talks with an evacuee, Hu promised the government would do its utmost. Hu said, "Many soldiers have been dispatched to your town to save lives. They will take you out of the dangerous areas. When you join your friends, tell them that the central government has been taking great care of you, and we will try our best to save you."

Hu met an injured man during his inspection. After consoling him and asking about the situation in his hometown, Hu Jintao ordered rescuers to send sufficient food to the town as soon as possible to ensure people's basic needs.

Hu Jintao also went to a sheltering center for survivors in Mianyang City. More than 10 thousand people have arrived here since it opened.

Hu asked rescuers and volunteers at the center to continue to help the victims.

In the City's Central Hospital, Hu Jintao consoled patients and asked medical staff to make all-out efforts to treat the injured.

(CCTV May 17, 2008)