On May 20, 2008, Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister He Yafei met with Deputy Secretary?General and Political and Security Director-General Gerard Araud of the Foreign Ministry of France. Araud extended profound condolences over the heavy casualties and huge property losses caused by the devastating earthquake in Sichuan and expressed appreciation and admiration for the Chinese government's swift, effective disaster relief actions. He thanked for the visits by the French president, foreign minister and National Assembly president to the Chinese Embassy in France in mourning for the earthquake victims, as well as the support and aid offered by France and also briefed on China's disaster relief efforts. Both sides exchanged views mainly on the Iranian nuclear issue, the situation of international arms control and nuclear disarmament and the issue of Afghanistan.