Efficient Mobilization Mechanisms

The Yushu quake relief work reflects the nation's strong awareness of crisis, as well as mature disaster-relief preparation and mobilization mechanisms, said Zheng Yongnian, director of the East Asia Institute of the National University of Singapore.

The quake relief supplies delivery system is efficient in general, he said.

Meanwhile, the whole quake relief effort highlights the people first principle, Zheng said.

A blogger named "Wei Yingjie" on Tianya commented that "so far, the government-led emergency mechanism has withstood the test of the disaster and played an irreplaceable role in the quake relief work."

"With voluntary donations and transparency in the use of donations, the charity system is maturing," said netizen "Zhang Haoyuan" on a forum at people.com.cn.

Zou Ming said the Yushu quake relief work has showcased the effective disaster-relief coordination mechanisms of the military, police and governmental departments.

Obstacles for Yushu Quake Relief Work

Aftershocks, high altitudes with thin air, freezing temperatures, and rugged terrain have complicated rescue and relief operations.

"Although Wednesday's earthquake affected fewer people and caused less damage compared with the 8.0-magnitude earthquake in Sichuan in 2008, the rescue mission is no less challenging," said Miao Chonggang, deputy head of the China Earthquake Administration's quake relief and emergency response department.

"The high altitude is a key problem here," Miao said.

Yushu sits at about 4,000 meters above sea level. Rescuers and sniffer dogs had to fight altitude sickness.

In addition, disrupted telecommunication and transport access have also added to the complexity of rescue and relief operations.

Road access to Yushu, about 800 kilometres from Qinghai's provincial capital, Xining, is difficult, Vice Transport Minister Gao Hongfeng told a press conference Saturday. Few planes can land at Yushu's small airport at an altitude of 4,000 meters.

But Gao insisted transport authorities are experienced and capable of conducting the operations even under such harsh circumstances, adding that relief materials are being transported to the quake zones "nonstop."