Premier thanks nations for aid

China appreciates international support and help in earthquake relief and reconstruction, Premier Li Keqiang said on Tuesday.

During his meeting with President of the Thai National Assembly Somsak Kiatsuranont, Li expressed gratitude to the Thai royal family and government for their condolences sent soon after the magnitude-7 earthquake hit Lushan county, Sichuan province, on Saturday.

The earthquake has caused heavy loss of life and property to the Chinese people, and the government is conducting relief work in an orderly way by trying its best to save lives and rescue the injured, relocate people affected by the earthquake and decrease losses to the greatest extent, Li said.

Li also said the government is planning for reconstruction, adding that all Chinese people are supporting and helping with the relief work in various ways.

"We appreciate the international community's sympathy and condolences as well as their support of, and help with, earthquake relief and post-disaster reconstruction. With these, we have the confidence to overcome the disaster and rebuild the homeland," Li said.

Li said friendship between China and Thailand created a good example for China's good-neighborly cooperation with other countries.

China hopes the two countries can expand the scope of their relations, and continue to let the relations lead ties between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Li said.

"China supports the building of the ASEAN community and backs ASEAN's dominating role in cooperation in East Asia. China would like to work closely with Thailand to promote stable development of China-ASEAN ties," Li said.

Somsak, also the speaker of the Thai House of Representatives, showed concern and sympathy for earthquake victims, and spoke highly of the quick and efficient response and rescue efforts by the Chinese government.

On China-Thailand relations, Somsak said Bangkok is keen to work with China to promote practical cooperation.

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