As the devastating earthquake has caused great loss of lives, an article carried in the English newspaper China Daily says it also puts the resilience of the Chinese economy to test.

Optimists have predicted the quake will not greatly affect China's economic growth, as they say the local economy in Sichuan only accounts for a small portion of the country's gross industrial output and exports.

But the commentary argues that the worst earthquake China suffered in 32 years came only months after the severest winter in 50 years hit central and southern China, which severely disrupted production. The author says such a fact does not allow policymakers to be too optimistic.

Moreover, the country is now battling the worst inflation in a decade amid a global economic slowdown.

Therefore, the article says it requires Chinese policymakers to immediately re-examine their toolbox to prepare for the new challenges brought about by the deadly earthquake.

In addition, the paper points out the possibility that the disaster may disrupt the supply of agricultural produce and increase inflationary pressure demands close attention from the authorities.

Last month, the country's consumer price index, a major index of inflation, stood at 8.5 percent, slightly lower than the 12-year-record of 8.7 percent witnessed in February.

The article says soaring food prices, especially of agricultural products, have long been the primary driving force behind the accelerated inflation.

Sichuan produces some 6 percent of the country's agricultural outputs and over 7 percent of the country's rice. It is also the biggest producer of pigs, accounting for more than 11 percent of the country's total production.

The article emphasizes that agricultural losses from the quake should not be underestimated.