The president told people living in the town that more than 100,000 troopers of the People's Liberation Army and armed policemen have been assembled and on their ways to each quake-hit villages.

Hu Jintao arrived in the quake-hit province on May 16 to oversee disaster rescue, relieving Premier Wen Jiabao who had stayed there for about 88 hours after the quake.

Walking over the rubble of a fertilizer factory building, Hu told the rescuers working at the site that every trapped person was counting on them and they should seize every second to work as time was limited.

"I truly believe that the heroic Chinese people will not yield to any difficulty!" he shouted in front of a group of rescuers.

During his visit, Hu met Xiong Shujuan, a university student studying in Beijing who came back home in Shifang the day before the quake. Xiong joined volunteer relief work after losing her grandfather in the quake.

Hu praised Xiong's tough performance and a spirit of dedication, encouraging her to build up confidence for more quake survivors.

(Xinhua News Agency May 18, 2008)