Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin Photo: mfa.gov.cn

The Chinese Foreign Ministry expressed heartfelt appreciation to many countries and international organizations that have expressed sympathies to China after a 6.2-magnitude earthquake on Monday jolted Jishishan county in Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture, Northwest China’s Gansu Province, which has led to 134 deaths as of Wednesday evening. 

During a press briefing on Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said that leaders of various countries including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Pakistani President Arif Alvi, United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida have sent messages or letters to express deep sympathies to Chinese President Xi Jinping and condolences over the victims of the earthquake. 

Besides, other leaders from various countries and international organizations such as Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Pakistani Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, as well as a slew of countries such as Afghanistan, France, the US and Canada, have expressed sympathies to China by various means. China would like to express its heartfelt appreciation for their well wishes., according to Wang. 

After the earthquake, General Secretary Xi Jinping made important instructions, asking for all-out search and rescue, timely treatment of the injured, effort to properly look after those hit by the disaster, and every possible effort to protect the safety of lives and property, Wang said during the Wednesday briefing. 

Chinese Premier Li Qiang gave instructions for all-out rescue and relief efforts. 

The previous day, Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing urgently led a working group from the State Council to the region hit by the earthquake to guide the relief work. 

At present, various rescue and relief teams are working around the clock to respond to the disaster. Disaster relief materials, such as tents, folding beds, quilts and winter coats are being sent to the region without delay, according to Wang. 

All work is proceeding in a timely and orderly manner, Wang said, adding that under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and with the strong support from various sectors across China, the people in the quake area will overcome the disaster and rebuild their homes.

Global Times