BEIJING, Oct. 26 (Xinhua) -- A senior Chinese leader has encouraged people living in Qinghai to build better lives after a devastating earthquake jolted the northwest province in April.

Li Changchun, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks Tuesday in Beijing when meeting delegates from the province who gave a lecture on heroic stories of quake survivors and rescuers.

A 7.1-magnitude earthquake jolted Yushu of Qinghai Province on April 14, leaving about 2,700 people dead.

Li encouraged people in Qinghai to carry forward the heroic spirit demonstrated in quake relief to strive for a better life.