CHINA:CHINA'S MOST famous rescuer said the search for survivors would go on, even though the devastation in some areas is immense.
"My soldiers are right now rescuing people, every day we're pulling people out. We're very far from the rebuilding process, our priority is still saving lives," said Wang Yi, commander of unit 8740 of the People's Armed Police Force.
He led 670 officers to Wenchuan, right at the quake's epicentre, after hiking for 21 hours in driving rain, and he has featured prominently in media coverage of the rescue effort. His soldiers have rescued 407 people and evacuated 3,700 to safety from Wenchuan.
"I'm an ordinary soldier, that's all. We rescued many people from the debris in Wenchuan. The villages were the most affected, the city itself was less damaged. Some of the villages were completely flattened," he said.
The People's Liberation Army has been praised for its work in getting survivors out and helping with relief work. The army is popular in China, and its commanding presence in organising relief has raised the military even higher in the popularity stakes in China.
"I want to send my greetings to the people of Ireland and thank them for their donation," he said on hearing I was from Ireland, referring to €1 million donation from the Government, which has been given a high profile here.
