Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi called Wang Shuping, the representative of China's trade development office in Haiti on the evening of January 18th Beijing time to extend his regards to those who are still fighting at the forefront of the rescue operation, including China's trade development office in Haiti, the ad hoc working group of the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, China's international rescue team, the 8th Chinese peacekeeping riot police squad and the Chinese peacekeeping police squad.

Yang said that the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti has caused heavy casualties. 8 Chinese peacekeeping policemen died in the quake. President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao and other leaders of the CPC Central Committee were greatly concerned of the safety of the Chinese staff in Haiti and instructed the related departments several times to try their best to rescue the buried Chinese staff. The rescue team at the forefront earnestly carried out the instructions of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council. They feared neither hardship nor danger. Even in the extremely tough conditions and amid the aftershocks and high temperature, they worked fearlessly and overcame unimaginable difficulties and challenges. Their hard work and sacrifice helped retain the good image of China in the world. Yang hoped that they could continue to make concerted and unyielding efforts and do their best to carry out the rescue work.

Yang lastly extended his best wishes to the Chinese rescuers for good safety and health. He hoped that all the Chinese staff could return home safe and sound.