Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has arrived at Qionglai Airport in southwest China's Sichuan Province, which was struck by an earthquake Saturday morning.

He convened emergency meetings during his flight to direct quake-relief work.

Li left Beijing for Sichuan at 13:15 p.m. after Ya'an City in the province was struck by a 7.0-magnitude earthquake.

"The current most urgent issue is grasping the first 24 hours after the quake's occurrence, the golden time for saving lives, to take scientific rescue measures and save peoples' lives," Li said.

The earthquake hit Lushan county of Ya'an City at 8:02 a.m. Beijing time.