A total of 171 medical staff with two medical teams deployed by the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) from Guangdong and Yunnan has arrived at Xining Airport of northwest China's Qinghai Province.

The two teams has set for the quake-hit areas by air carrying 22 tonnes of medical supplies and equipments as of 4:00 PM Thursday.

Another logistic team from the police forces in Tibet has left Lhasa at 9 a.m. heading for the quake-hit Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Yushu in Qinghai.

The MPS has dispatched more than 2,000 policemen including special police officers, firemen and medical staff to the quake zone.

In addition to the rescue work, the MPS also told the police to intensify patrol and communication management in key areas to ensure smooth transportation of supplies, relief personnel and injured people.

The MPS also vowed harsh punishment against crimes in the quake-affected areas.

(Xinhua News Agency April 16, 2010)