BEIJING - Reconstruction work began on Tuesday in earthquake-ravaged Yushu county in Northwest China's Qinghai province, while local authorities consider a major rebuilding plan for the county's core area - Gyegu town.

On Tuesday morning, Qinghai governor Luo Huining declared the start of the reconstruction program at a foundation-laying ceremony held for the new neighborhoods to be built in Trangu and Ganda villages near Gyegu town.

He said the restoration of the villages would be a pilot project for the entire reconstruction program of the quake region.