Q:India?s Gujarat state suffered on January 26 a strong earthquake. The international community is highly concerned. Could you tell us what actions the Chinese Government has taken?

A: The strong earthquake struck India?s Gujarat state on January 26 and caused great losses to the local people?s lives and property. As a friendly neighbor of India, the Chinese Government and people are highly concerned. President Jiang Zemin, Chairman Li Peng and Premier Zhu Rongji sent messages respectively to the President, Speakers of both houses of the Parliament and Prime Minister of India to express their sincere solicitude and heartfelt condolences to the victims. To demonstrate Chinese people?s sympathy to the people in the earthquake-stricken area, the Chinese Government has decided to offer urgent humanitarian aid worth RMB5 million, including 100 tons of aid materials such as 2,000 tents and 20,000 woolen blankets. These materials will be sent to India by a Chinese special plane on February 4. Besides sending a message of condolences to the Indian Red Cross Committee, China?s Red Cross Committee has also provided its Indian counterpart with US $ 50,000 cash assistance. Moreover, the Chinese Embassy in India and Chinese People?s Association For Friendship With Foreign Countries have also donated money to people in the disaster area. We sincerely hope and believe that the people in the disaster-stricken area will, under the leadership of the Indian Government, overcome difficulties and rebuild their homeland as soon as possible.