Premier Wen Jiabao has thanked UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for the United Nations' quake relief efforts. Ban Ki-moon arrived in the capital of Sichuan Province Saturday morning and went directly to the epicenter of the quake, Yingxiu town, where he expressed his sympathy for the people there.
Wen Jiabao thanked the UN Secretary General for his visit on behalf of the Chinese government and people.
Wen briefed Ban on the relief effort, saying China will carry out reconstruction as soon as possible. The international community showed sympathy for China soon after the quake. Wen Jiabao said this was evidence of the world's kindness to China and its humanitarian spirit. Wen said international aid has contributed a lot toChina's relief work, and the government and people are very grateful for this.
The premier said the whole nation is devoting itself to the relief effort and with the help and support from the world, China will overcome all difficulties and succeed in the reconstruction.
Ban Ki-moon said Chinese leaders have shown outstanding leadership in quake relief, and the world is moved by the immediate reaction of both the leaders and the people. He said what happened in Sichuan after the quake has shown the courage and spirit of cooperation of the Chinese people. He had come to tell the people of China that international community is firmly standing by their side.
Before the meeting, Wen Jiabao met journalists in Yingxiu. He said he appreciates the aid offered by all Chinese around the world. Wen said China welcomes journalists from all over the world and believes that they will report the quake, relief effort objectively, fairly and based on facts.
