HARBIN, Aug. 6 -- Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing called for efforts to minimize casualties and property losses during his inspection in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province as rainstorms and floods wreaked havoc in the country over the past week.

Zhang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, directed flood control work on front lines on Saturday and Sunday, checking on the relocation of local residents and inspecting water levels.

More professional forces should be deployed to search and rescue the missing and trapped people, Zhang said, stressing that no effort should be spared.

Zhang said local authorities should strive to bring down water levels in reservoirs, reinforce dikes, and swiftly evacuate residents in affected areas. Communication, transportation, power and water facilities should be restored fast to ensure people's lives can return to normalcy at an early date.