Those whose efforts in the rescue and relief operations after the Sichuan earthquake were deemed outstanding have been honored in Beijing. A summary and awards ceremony was held at the Great Hall of the People on Wednesday morning.

Nearly five months after the devastating earthquake ravaged southwest China's Sichuan Province, Chinese leaders as well as those who made outstanding contributions to the relief and rescue operations gathered to summarize the experiences.

The May 12th earthquake was of the most devastating force and sparked the most difficult rescue and relief mission since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949. Nearly 70,000 people were killed, and thousands of others are still missing. After the quake, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the State Council and the Central Military Commission immediately set up a quake relief headquarters.