Q: It is reported that a team of experts from China Seismological Bureau and a Chinese medical team originally planned to go to India. Why have those plans failed to materialize?

A: In order to help the relief work in the earthquake-hit area of India?s Gujarat state, the Chinese Government originally planned to send Chinese seismologists and a medical team to the disaster area to help with the relief work and medical treatment of the wounded. However, the Indian side later said that the situation in the disaster area had improved and there were quite a number of medical teams. As a result, the team of seismologists and the medical team have not at the moment left for India. As a friendly neighbor of India, the Chinese Government sincerely hopes the relief and reconstruction work will be carried out smoothly. If there is any further need on the Indian side, we are still prepared to offer our help as our capabilities allow.