Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said on Thursday that the government's top priority is to "protect people's life."

"The country's development is for the people, so the most important thing is people's life," said Wen when meeting reporters at the scene of a fatal train crash last Saturday.

Premier Wen Jiabao made the remarks on July 28 while speaking to press at the site of the deadly train crash near Wenzhou of eastern Zhejiang Province.

"The high-speed railway construction of China should integrate speed, quality, efficiency and safety. And safety should be put in the first place," said Wen.

"Without safety, high-speed trains will lose their credibility," Wen said.

He urged relevant departments to improve work and management, as well as make breakthroughs in core technologies, in a bid to "make China's high-speed railway exports really safe."

He said he had been ill for 11 days and the doctor did not let him out, but "I must come here."

"We will severely punish those who are responsible for the accident and those who hold responsibilities of leadership in accordance with the country's laws," Wen told the press.

Premier Wen Jiabao also pledged to offer timely and accurate information on follow-up situations to the public.

Premier Wen Jiabao arrived in Wenzhou of east China's Zhejiang Province Thursday morning to mourn victims of a fatal train collision.

The accident on Saturday evening caused at least 39 people dead and 192 others injured.