Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has stated that China is ready to offer assistance to Pakistan, India and Afghanistan, countries that were hit by last weekend's devastating earthquake.
Wen Jiabao made his pledge Monday in Beijing when meeting with ambassadors from the three countries.
He said China, as a friendly neighbor of the three South Asian nations, feels deep sympathy over their sufferings in the disaster.
The Chinese Premier said he believes the three nations will overcome the disaster under the leadership of their governments and efforts from the people.
Pakistan's Ambassador to China Salman Bashir said the Pakistani government and people are grateful to China as it is among the first to offer aid to his country following the earthquake. The Ambassadors of India and Afghanistan also expressed their thanks.
China's first batch of relief materials have arrived in the earthquake-hit areas of Pakistan.
This batch of relief is part of China's humanitarian aid to Pakistan which includes 6.2 million US dollars worth of relief materials and funds.
Sunday morning the Chinese government sent a 49-member international rescue team to the earthquake-hit areas of Pakistan to help aid in the rescue efforts.
An earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter Scale hit Pakistan at 11:50 a.m. Saturday (Beijing Time). The epicenter was located about 95 km northeast of Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan.
A senior official said Monday the quake had killed between 30,000 and 40,000 people in Pakistan, and injured another 60,000.
The Indian-held zone of Kashmir was also hit hard by the earthquake. Officials there have stated that 750 people are confirmed dead.
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Golf courses and gas stations in Beijing will be under close watch.
