The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers and armed police have been urged to protect lives and properties in the ongoing flood control and relief work.

The nationwide battle against floods had entered a crucial stage, said a notice issued by the PLA General Political Department.

It urged all soldiers and armed police to implement instructions from President Hu Jintao and spare no efforts in protecting people.

President Hu and Premier Wen Jiabao on Monday ordered local governments to protect lives and ensure safety in their efforts to deal with floods and relief work.

The notice urged all troops to solve practical problems for frontline soldiers and send out army cadres as field commanders. Party members in the army and armed police forces should fight wherever they were needed most, it said.

As heavy rains continue to pound parts of north China, tens of thousands of soldiers and armed police have been mobilized to fight floods and help with flood relief work.

In northeast China's Jilin Province, more than 10,000 armed police were defending large reservoirs and hydropower stations and preparing for more extreme weather.

In northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, armed police restored traffic Thursday on the 219 National Road which had been blocked by mud flows on Wednesday night.