BEIJING - The headquarters of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) on Saturday sent a message of thanks to soldiers who helped with rescue efforts in earthquake-hit Lushan County and surrounding areas in southwest China's Sichuan Province.

The message, which was jointly signed by the PLA's General Staff, General Political Department, General Logistic Department and General Armament Department, said the troops successfully carried out instructions given by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the Central Military Commission and President Xi Jinping.

The message praised the troops for the role they played in dealing with the aftermath of a 7.0-magnitude earthquake that hit Lushan on April 20, leaving 196 people dead, 21 missing and over 20,000 injured.

The message said soldiers and officers of the PLA risked their lives to save people and property in earthquake-devastated areas.

It called on the troops to continue to work hard, as the rescue efforts are still in a critical stage.

About 18,000 troops, as well as a large number of paramilitary and reservists, have been working day and night in the quake zone.