The rescue operations of the Chinese military since Monday's powerful earthquake were "orderly" and "efficient", a senior officer said in Beijing on Sunday.

A total of 113,080 soldiers and armed policemen had been mobilized for the rescue operations, said Major General Ma Jian of the air force of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) at a press conference, the first that involved the military since the earthquake.

After the massive quake, China has set up a national rescue headquarters led by Premier Wen Jiabao. The military also established a rescue command headed by Chief of General Staff Chen Bingde to direct rescue and relief operations by military personnel, said Ma, also deputy director of the Combat Department of the PLA General Staff Headquarters.

So far the rescue operations of servicemen were well underway, orderly and efficient, he said.

(Xinhua News Agency May 18, 2008)