China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) and the armed police are going all-out to save lives in quake-hit Qinghai Province, even as the critical first 72 hours for rescuing survivors has passed, a military official said Saturday.

"No matter how many troops or how much supplies are needed, we will make sure it gets there, fast," said Senior Colonel Song Jianxin with the quake-relief military-coordination team.

A 7.1-magnitude quake hit Yushu at 7:49 a.m. Wednesday, leaving at least 1,144 people dead, 11,744 injured, and 417 missing.

The critical time for survivors' rescue is usually the first 72 hours.

"Saving lives is our top priority. We will search for and rescue survivors at all cost," Song said.

More than 12,300 PLA servicemen and armed police have been dispatched to the quake zone so far.

They have pulled more than 1,200 people out from the rubble of collapsed buildings and delivered 550 tonnes of relief supplies.

The PLA air force has also mobilized eight Il-76 carrier aircraft to transport rescuers and supplies to the quake zone, and to transport the injured to safer areas for medical treatment.