BEIJING, Aug. 12 -- The leadership of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) on Tuesday commended all troops working to save lives in Yunnan earthquake.

PLA General Staff Headquarters, General Political Department, General Logistics Department and General Armament Department issued a joint statement expressing their "highest respect" to the more than 11,000 soldiers, armed police and militia involved in the rescue.

The earthquake on Aug. 3 killed at least 617 people and rescuers have saved over 460 civilians. One armed policeman was killed on Aug. 4 during a rescue attempt.

"You have regarded the disaster area as a battlefield... and devoted yourselves to relief work, which has been highly praised by the Party and the people," said the statement.

The rescuers have, just as President Xi Jinping ordered, regarded "saving people's lives" as their primary task and risked their own lives in the search for survivors and in aiding the wounded. They have tried their best to reduce the casualties to a minimal degree, the statement said.

The army also helped solve problems such as lack of food and accommodation and brought the relations between the military and the people closer.

Their outstanding performance demonstrated the good image of an army that follow the orders of the Party and can "win battles", it said.

PLA authorities urged their forces to continue their work and accomplish the final victory of the earthquake relief battle.