Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao arrived Thursday in the worst hit region of Yushu County to check on rescue work and meet survivors. He was briefed on the rescue efforts by vice Premier Hui Liangyu.

Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture's capital, Gyegu Town is one of the places that suffered the worst destruction near the quake's epicenter.

Upon arrival, Premier Wen Jiabao visited a village where most of the houses had collapsed.

He met villagers worried about missing family members.

The Premier told them the central government is taking steps to help them.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said, "The central government shares your pain. Your loss is our loss. Your relatives are our relatives. Your disaster is our disaster. We mourn together."

Premier Wen Jiabao scrambled over rubble to check on the rescue work and expressed his appreciation to the rescuers for their hard work and dedication to saving lives.

He says the top priority is finding and rescuing survivors, adding that the government is sending more emergency crews.

"I want to reiterate that people's lives come first. As long as there is the slightest hope, we will give 100 percent. Never give up, especially during the first 72 hours after the earthquake." Premier Wen said.

The head of the Yushu Orphan village told the Premier that all 202 children who lived in the village survived in the massive earthquake.

Upon hearing the news, Wen Jiabao said the government would do its utmost to ensure daily life can quickly return to normal in the quake zone.

Wen Jiabao also visited a temporary medical center, where he spoke to the injured, encouraging medical workers to save as many lives as possible.

The premier also called for further relief efforts to support those left homeless by the quake and ensure adequate supplies for all.