First batch of soldiers leave China´s quake zone

Source: Xinhua | 07-21-2008 13:58

CHENGDU, July 21 (Xinhua) -- The first batch of Chinese soldiers, 515paratroopers, boarded a train and left the quake-stricken Sichuan Province after completing their relief operations on Monday.

Chen Yangmeng, a 11yearold girl survived the fatal earthquake happened in May 12, presents a flower to show her respects  to a soldier of Chinese People's  Liberation Army (PLA) in Shifang of  southwest China's Sichuan Province on July 20, 2008. The first batch of PLA soldiers withdraw from the quake-hit city of Shifang on Sunday. (Xinhua Photo)

The soldiers, who left Chengdu at 9:45 a.m., were the first group of a 40,000-strong force due to leave the province.

The troops will leave according to the need for their services, according to the order signed by President Hu Jintao, chairman of China's Central Military Commission.

The People's Liberation Army (PLA) has sent a work group to Chengdu to coordinate the withdrawal.

The government mobilized about 130,000 troops, armed police and reservists to help with relief work after the magnitude-8.0 earthquake struck southwestern China on May 12.