Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang, also member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, arrived in the hard-hit Shifang City in southwest Sichuan Province to direct quake relief on Monday morning.

Li, also the vice head of a disaster relief headquarters led by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, visited the rescue operation site of the Hongda Petrochemical Company in Shifang Monday morning, and conveyed his regards and condolences to local residents injured in the quake at the People's Hospital of Deyang.

Li had visited the Mianyang City and the Pingtong Township of Mianyang's Pingwu County on Sunday.

He said during his visit to Mianyan that saving life is still on top priority, while stressing disease prevention should also be given special attention in disaster relief.

The death toll from the powerful earthquake that jolted southwest China's Sichuan Province on May 12 had risen to 32,476 nationwide as of 2 p.m. Sunday, while the number of injured reached 220,109, according to the emergency response office under the State Council.

(Xinhua News Agency May 19, 2008)