China and Australia held a joint rescue and disaster relief drill on Tuesday in southwest China's Sichuan Province, military authorities said in a press release.

The one-hour simulation took place in the city of Dujiangyan, about 40 km west of the provincial capital of Chengdu. Rescue workers from both countries were dispatched to carry out disaster relief operations after a simulated "earthquake" at one of the city's universities.

Chinese rescuers were mainly responsible for rescuing survivors from collapsed buildings and extinguishing quake-triggered fires, while their Australian counterparts provided medical treatment.

The Chinese rescue team was composed of staff from a reserve engineering corps and a chemical corps based in Sichuan.

Dispatched by the Australian Joint Operational Command, the Australian rescue team consisted of medical experts, the release said.

China's army air corps, who were previously recognized for their rescue efforts during the devastating Wenchuan earthquake in May 12, 2008, also participated in the drill.