"You disregard your own safety and ignore any danger - you are patron saints of the city", Premier Li Keqiang told soldiers and firefighters taking part in search and rescue efforts at the site of the blast in Tianjin on Aug 16.

He told them that firefighters have suffered the highest number of losses, but "you still work on the front, I want to remind you that you need to be especially cautious when facing any danger. You are all heroes and people are looking forward to your safe return."