As of midday Thursday, 167 aftershocks measuring above 4 on the Richter scale had been monitored in southwest Sichuan Province, according to the Information Office of State Council here Thursday.

Among them, 26 aftershocks measured above magnitude 5, 4 above magnitude 6, says the office.

A devastating earthquake measuring 8 on the Richter scale rocked southwest China on May 12, leading to the death of more than 50,000 people.

(Xinhua News Agency May 22, 2008)