Foreign and Military Affairs

China ready to deliver assistance to Chile: FM

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-02-28 19:12

BEIJING: China is ready to provide emergency relief assistance to quake-hit Chile, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said here Sunday.

After the catastrophic earthquake, Chinese President Hu Jintao on Saturday sent a message of condolence to his Chilean counterpart Michelle Bachelet over the losses of lives and properties.

Hu, on behalf of the Chinese government and in his own name, extended sincere condolences to Bachelet, the Chilean people and government as well as deep sympathies to the earthquake victims.

Hu said China was ready to offer emergency relief assistance to Chile to help those affected by the earthquake through their difficulties.

Hu said he was confident that under the leadership of the government, Chile would be able to overcome the catastrophe and reconstruct its homeland.

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi also sent telegraph to his Chilean counterpart Mariano Fernandez to express sympathy.

There has been no report about any death or injury of Chinese nationals in Chile so far, Qin said.

Chinese Foreign Ministry has launched two telephone hotlines round the clock for public consultation. "Our staffers have received several hundreds of phone calls seeking help," Qin said.

The Chinese Embassy in Chile is going all out to check the safety of Chinese nationals and institutions in Chile and offering assistance to those in need, according to Qin.

A massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake rocked southern Chile early Saturday, killing more than 300 people so far.