BEIJING, May 18 (Xinhua) -- The first Chinese military rescue team headed for the disaster area within 14 minutes after the strong earthquake hit the southwest Sichuan Province, said Hu Changming, spokesman for the National Defense Ministry here Sunday at a press conference.

　　This is the first press conference held by the military after the troops and armed police rushed to the quake-hit regions since the May 12 earthquake.

　　Hu said the servicemen made all their effort to rescue the victims, rebuild the damaged roads, and transport the emergency goods.

　　He praised the Chinese military for its hard work and endurance, adding the first 200 armed police entered the seat of the Wenchuan county on Wednesday after walking 90 kilometers in 21 hours.

　　He said the Chinese military established different rescue zones. The servicemen were also well-equipped with satellite, life detection equipment and radar to increase the efficiency of the operation.

　　The spokesman and other five officers with the Departments of the General Staff, General Political, General Logistics, and General Armament, and the Armed Police Headquarters attended the press conference.