Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday ordered rescuing troops in the quake-hit zone in southwest China's Sichuan Province to make "every possible effort."

The 7.0-magnitude quake has caused severe losses to the security of people's lives and properties, Xi said in his instruction to the armed forces and armed police.

The troops must be quickly dispatched to the front line of the quake-relief work to rescue residents and treat the injured in every possible way, Xi said.

They have also been instructed to take precautionary measures against secondary disasters and help local governments to relocate affected people, as well as safeguard social stability of the quake zone.

Troops should also take care of their own safety, Xi said.

(Xinhua News Agency April 20, 2013)