MOURNERS crowded ruins in south-west China to mark one year since an earthquake shattered the region, while President Hu Jintao called reconstruction efforts a testament to national strength.

China today admitted the death toll from this week’s earthquake could be higher than 50,000.

China issued a rare public appeal for rescue equipment today as it struggled to cope with the aftermath of this week’s earthquake.

China began airlifting aid today to the areas worst hit by a massive earthquake, as new reports of casualties were poised to push the death toll close to 20,000.