Chinese Vice Premier Liu Guozhong, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, inspects the landslide scene, checks the rescue progress, and reviews follow-up arrangements in Jinping Village, Junlian County in the city of Yibin, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Feb. 9, 2025. Following General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Xi Jinping's instructions and Premier Li Qiang's request, the vice premier rushed to the disaster site on Saturday night to guide the rescue operations and emergency response efforts. (Xinhua/Li Xiang)

Chinese Vice Premier Liu Guozhong has stressed all-out efforts to search for and rescue the missing and prevent secondary disasters after a landslide hit southwest China's Sichuan Province on Saturday.

Liu, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, underscored the importance of minimizing the casualties to the greatest extent possible.

The landslide occurred at 11:50 a.m. in Jinping Village, which is located in Junlian County in the city of Yibin.

The vice premier rushed to the disaster site on Saturday night to guide the rescue operations and emergency response efforts. Upon his arrival, Liu inspected the landslide scene, checked the rescue progress, and reviewed follow-up arrangements.

At a meeting on Sunday, Liu called for a well-coordinated rescue operation and the deployment of advanced equipment and monitoring instruments to ensure safe rescue work. He stressed the need for accurate verification of the missing persons and thorough risk assessment to ensure the prompt evacuation of at-risk residents.

He urged thoughtful assistance for the bereaved, adequate support for relocated residents, as well as timely and accurate information dissemination to address public concerns.

Liu also visited the injured at a local hospital on Sunday, stressing the importance of mobilizing quality medical resources to minimize casualties.

Chinese Vice Premier Liu Guozhong, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, visits a person injured in the landslide at a local hospital in Junlian County in the city of Yibin, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Feb. 9, 2025. Following General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Xi Jinping's instructions and Premier Li Qiang's request, the vice premier rushed to the disaster site on Saturday night to guide the rescue operations and emergency response efforts. (Xinhua/Li Xiang)