This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7406042.stm

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
China leader spurs rescue effort China leader spurs rescue effort
(about 1 hour later)
China's president has urged rescuers in the earthquake-struck province of Sichuan to race to save lives.China's president has urged rescuers in the earthquake-struck province of Sichuan to race to save lives.
Visiting the south-western province, Hu Jintao said "time is pressing" during the effort's "most crucial phase".Visiting the south-western province, Hu Jintao said "time is pressing" during the effort's "most crucial phase".
There have been 22,069 confirmed deaths and it is feared the toll could reach 50,000, but survivors are still being found five days after the quake struck.There have been 22,069 confirmed deaths and it is feared the toll could reach 50,000, but survivors are still being found five days after the quake struck.
One German tourist was pulled from rubble having been buried for 114 hours in the hard-hit county of Wenchuan.One German tourist was pulled from rubble having been buried for 114 hours in the hard-hit county of Wenchuan.
"Although the time for the best chance of rescue, the first 72 hours after an earthquake, has passed, saving lives remains the top priority of our work," Mr Hu told distraught relatives of those still missing."Although the time for the best chance of rescue, the first 72 hours after an earthquake, has passed, saving lives remains the top priority of our work," Mr Hu told distraught relatives of those still missing.
Nearly five million people have been left homeless by the earthquake.Nearly five million people have been left homeless by the earthquake.
'Time is pressing''Time is pressing'
On Friday, Mr Hu toured Mianyang, one of the cities worst-hit by the 7.9-magnitude earthquake, where he viewed relief efforts and met rescue workers.On Friday, Mr Hu toured Mianyang, one of the cities worst-hit by the 7.9-magnitude earthquake, where he viewed relief efforts and met rescue workers.
We must make every effort, race against time and overcome all difficulties to achieve the final victory of the relief efforts Chinese President Hu JintaoWe must make every effort, race against time and overcome all difficulties to achieve the final victory of the relief efforts Chinese President Hu Jintao
The Chinese president's presence in the region appears to reflect the level of government concern over the scale of the disaster.The Chinese president's presence in the region appears to reflect the level of government concern over the scale of the disaster.
"The challenge is still severe, the task is still arduous and the time is pressing," said Mr Hu."The challenge is still severe, the task is still arduous and the time is pressing," said Mr Hu.
"Quake relief work has entered the most crucial phase. We must make every effort, race against time and overcome all difficulties to achieve the final victory of the relief efforts.""Quake relief work has entered the most crucial phase. We must make every effort, race against time and overcome all difficulties to achieve the final victory of the relief efforts."
On Saturday, 33 people were dug out of the rubble in Beichuan, one of the worst-hit areas, China's official Xinhua news agency reported.On Saturday, 33 people were dug out of the rubble in Beichuan, one of the worst-hit areas, China's official Xinhua news agency reported.
Six miners who had sheltered in a pit for 88 hours were among many survivors found late on Friday.Six miners who had sheltered in a pit for 88 hours were among many survivors found late on Friday.
Massive proportionsMassive proportions
Local officials said the extent of homelessness in the region only became clear on Friday as lines of communication and roads were reopened.Local officials said the extent of homelessness in the region only became clear on Friday as lines of communication and roads were reopened.
Advertisement
A student is helped to walk free after being trapped for 80 hoursA student is helped to walk free after being trapped for 80 hours
Premier Wen Jiabao said the quake was the most destructive and widespread since the People's Republic was founded in 1949.Premier Wen Jiabao said the quake was the most destructive and widespread since the People's Republic was founded in 1949.
Its scale was greater than that of the Tangshan earthquake in 1976 which left 240,000 dead, he said.Its scale was greater than that of the Tangshan earthquake in 1976 which left 240,000 dead, he said.
Further aftershocks - one measuring 5.9 - continued to strike the area, causing landslides that buried vehicles and knocked out communications only just restored.Further aftershocks - one measuring 5.9 - continued to strike the area, causing landslides that buried vehicles and knocked out communications only just restored.
See a detailed map of quake zoneSend us your commentsHow earthquakes happenSee a detailed map of quake zoneSend us your commentsHow earthquakes happen
Mr Wen, who has been in the area since the earthquake struck, said the focus of the effort was still reaching survivors.Mr Wen, who has been in the area since the earthquake struck, said the focus of the effort was still reaching survivors.
But while the government says the search is still the priority, it is stepping up the effort to get aid to the millions of people displaced or cut off by the disaster, says the BBC's Dan Griffiths in the Sichuan capital Chengdu.But while the government says the search is still the priority, it is stepping up the effort to get aid to the millions of people displaced or cut off by the disaster, says the BBC's Dan Griffiths in the Sichuan capital Chengdu.
Tens of thousands of Chinese troops and police are in the region to help with relief efforts but damage to roads is making it difficult to get to the worst-hit regions.Tens of thousands of Chinese troops and police are in the region to help with relief efforts but damage to roads is making it difficult to get to the worst-hit regions.
Building investigationBuilding investigation
Chinese media estimates around 160,000 people were injured in the quake and 4.8 million people have been relocated.Chinese media estimates around 160,000 people were injured in the quake and 4.8 million people have been relocated.
More than 200,000 houses collapsed in Sichuan alone, while more than four million have been damaged in some way, Xinhua reports.More than 200,000 houses collapsed in Sichuan alone, while more than four million have been damaged in some way, Xinhua reports.
In pictures: China's rescue pushDams pose flooding riskLife in tent cityIn pictures: China's rescue pushDams pose flooding riskLife in tent city
It says all affected areas have been reached by troops, but their task remains huge.It says all affected areas have been reached by troops, but their task remains huge.
The first foreign rescuers arrived in the devastated region from Japan on Friday and teams from Taiwan, Russia, South Korea and Singapore are also heading to the region to help in the rescue effort.The first foreign rescuers arrived in the devastated region from Japan on Friday and teams from Taiwan, Russia, South Korea and Singapore are also heading to the region to help in the rescue effort.
Seven schools, including two nursery schools, collapsed in the town of Mianzhu alone, burying more than 1,700 students.Seven schools, including two nursery schools, collapsed in the town of Mianzhu alone, burying more than 1,700 students.
In Hanwang town, about 700 students were buried when Donqi middle school collapsed.In Hanwang town, about 700 students were buried when Donqi middle school collapsed.
China has announced an investigation into why so many schools have collapsed.China has announced an investigation into why so many schools have collapsed.

Are you in the area affected by the earthquake? What are the conditions? Is aid coming through? If you have any information you would like to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below or text your experiences to: +44 7624 800 100

Are you in the area affected by the earthquake? What are the conditions? Is aid coming through? If you have any information you would like to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below or text your experiences to: +44 7624 800 100
You can send pictures and video to:You can send pictures and video to:
yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100
If you have a large file you can upload here.If you have a large file you can upload here.
Click here to see terms and conditions.Click here to see terms and conditions.
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
Name:
Name: