Armed forces help save 3.4 million people in two years

The People's Liberation Army (PLA) and People's Armed Police Forces (PAPF) evacuated more than 3.4 million people in their rescue and disaster-relief operations between 2004 and 2006, official figures have showed.

During the period, the PLA and PAPF dispatched more than 340,000 troops to take part in more than 2,800 emergency rescue and disaster-relief operations.

The government also mobilized about 130,000 troops, armed police and reservists to help with relief work after the 8.0-magnitude quake that struck Sichuan province on May 12.