Rescuers try to approach a collapsing house after the 5.8-magnitude earthquake hit Yingjiang County in southwest China's Yunnan Province, March 11, 2011. [Photo/Xinhua]

The 5.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Yingjiang county, Yunnan province rang a loud alarm bell for local officials to be cautious in their planning for any major hydraulic power project in the province, especially in the Nujiang valley.

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In an interview with China Daily, Wang Jirong, member of the Standing Committee of the 11th National People's Congress, said a series of national studies have pinpointed the area as especially prone to geological disasters.

There is a general recognition that the area's geological conditions are very complex, but some people who are pushing for hydraulic projects argue that they can still find "solid ground" for the projects.

"My question is: Can so much cement help solve the problem of instability deep down in the earth's crust," said Wang, who is also a vice-chair of the NPC's Environment Protection and Resources Conservation Committee.

"We must be able to make clear the connections between one location and the whole area," she said.

A rescuer searches for survivors in a damaged building after the 5.8-magnitude earthquake hit Yingjiang County in southwest China's Yunnan Province, March 10, 2011. The death toll has risen to 25 as of 0:00 a.m. Friday and at least 250 others were injured.[Photo/Xinhua]