While Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao was reiterating the importance of saving people's lives, he encouraged survivors to have confidence in rebuilding their homes.

On Wednesday morning, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao oversaw the rescue work at Beichuan County, one of the regions worst hit by Monday's massive earthquake,

The death toll in Beichuan is estimated at 3,000 to 5,000, with nearly 10,000 injured.

While inspecting rescue operations in Qushan Township, two kilometers from Beichuan County, Wen met several soldiers who rushed to carry an injured girl. Wen asked people to make way for the girl.

"Time is life," he stressed and urged rescuers to do their utmost to rescue survivors.

In Beichuan Middle School where more than 1,000 people were buried by the toppled buildings, rescuers continued hollering into a megaphone to remind those buried to keep calm.

"This is very important to let them know rescuers are trying to save them," Wen said, "Even though there is only a slim chance of survival, we should not lose hope".

As of Wednesday morning, more than 300 survivors had been evacuated from the school's debris.

Wen visited survivors temporarily settling down in the school playground. "I feel very sorry that you have lost your family members and relatives during the devastating quake," he said.

"But survivors should live on and live an even better life," he said, "When facing with calamity, the most important thing is that we should have determination to combat the disaster and are confident in a better future."

"With our joint efforts, we can build new homes and bring up our children," he said, "Our happy life is the best consolation to the dead."

"I believe we and our descendants will have a better life," he said.

In Qushuan Township, Wen also met several American volunteers.

"On behalf of the Chinese government, I'd like to express my thanks to the Americans for your help," he said.

While answering questions raised by reporters from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, he also expressed his thanks to Hong Kong compatriots.

(Xinhua News Agency May 14, 2008)