The evacuees, with no tents available, rest outdoor on a square in the Yi Autonomous County of Ning'er of Pu'er City in southwest China's Yunnan Province on June 3, 2007. Three people have been confirmed dead, at least 300 others injured after a strong earthquake measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale struck the county on Sunday. (Xinhua Photo)

Chinese President Hu Jintao has ordered all-out efforts into the rescue work after a strong earthquake hit an autonomous county in southwest China's Yunnan Province on Sunday morning.

By 7 p.m., the earthquake, a magnitude of 6.4 on the Richter scale, has left three dead and injured at least 290 others in the old downtown area of Hani and Yi Autonomous County of Ning'er, in Pu'er City.

In a statement issued by the Central Committee of Chinese Communist Party and the State Council, Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao and Vice-Premier Hui Liangyu asked provincial government officials in Yunnan "to mobilize all resources available to treat the injured and minimize the losses of lives and property of the public."

They also asked local authorities to closely monitor aftershocks and take good care of residents affected by the disaster.

The quake has forced the evacuation of 120,000 residents, according to a spokesman for the provincial civil affairs department.

A working group, involving officials from the Ministry of Civil Affairs and several other government agencies, arrived at the area Sunday night.

A local resident clears the debris of his house following a strong earthquake in Ning'er, Southwest China's Yunnan Province, June 3, 2007. The 6.4-magnitude quake struck the county seat of Ning'er shortly after 5:30 a.m. (2130 GMT Saturday), bringing down houses and killing at least three people, one a 4-year-old, and injuring 300, Xinhua reported. [Xinhua]

A Chinese woman Xue Wangfen clears the debris of her house following a strong earthquake in Ning'er, Southwest China's Yunnan Province, June 3, 2007. Xue Wangfen lost her 4-year-old child in the earthquake. The 6.4-magnitude quake struck the county seat of Ning'er shortly after 5:30 a.m. (2130 GMT Saturday), bringing down houses and killing at least three people, one a 4-year-old, and injuring 300, Xinhua reported. [Xinhua]

A boy receives treatment at a temporary shelter following a strong earthquake in Ning'er, Southwest China's Yunnan Province, June 3, 2007. The 3-year-old boy was hospitalized before the earthquake and he was transferred to the shelter after the earthquake to continue the treatment. The 6.4-magnitude quake struck the county seat of Ning'er shortly after 5:30 a.m. (2130 GMT Saturday), bringing down houses and killing at least three people, one a 4-year-old, and injuring 300, Xinhua reported. [Xinhua]

Editor: Yan