Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu Thursday urged rescuers to make all-out efforts to save lives and transfer those injured during Wednesday's 7.1-magnitude quake to safer areas.

"Today and tomorrow are crucial for searching and rescuing survivors and transferring those who are badly hurt," Hui said when inspecting quake relief work in Yushu's Gyegu Town near the quake's epicenter.

Rescuers should make most of the "golden rescue time," Hui said referring to 72 hours after the quake, to search for and rescue those trapped or injured during the earthquake, and to reduce casualties to the minimum level.

The vice premier also called on the local religious circle to play an important role in quake relief, and urged medical workers currently working in Yushu to provide better service to the quake victims.

Assuring the public that help and supplies were en route to Yushu, he urged armed police and special police forces to take active part in quake relief, while in the same time maintain social stability in the quake zones.