On the afternoon of May 15, Minister of Commerce Chen Deming held phone talks with Doris Leuthard, Swiss Federal Chancellor and Economics Minister over phone by appointment.

Leuthard said that the strong earthquake in Wenchuan, Sichuan Province on May 12 has caused huge casualties and property losses. She expressed, on behalf of the Swiss government, profound sympathy and solicitude, and is willing to provide necessary support and assistance to China’s rescue efforts.

Chen briefed Leuthard on the disaster affection and relief situation of the Wenchuan Quake. He said the Chinese government has promptly set up the commanding headquarters for disaster rescue and relief after the earthquake. The rescue work is now underway in an orderly way. With the aim of organizing and allocating materials for disaster rescue and accepting official bilateral and multilateral international assistance, MOFCOM has also set up an emergency leading group for the work of disaster relief and rescue. MOFCOM will go all out to ensure the material supply in the disaster-stricken areas, and ensure that the financial aid and materials from the various assistance providers will be transported in the shortest possible time to the victims in the disaster-stricken areas.

Chen expressed his thanks to the concern and solitude of the Swiss government and people over China’s disaster-stricken areas and disaster victims. He said that face to face with natural calamities, the co-empathy and strength of human beings are tied together even more closely, and the Chinese people shall surely tide over the difficulties with the joint assistance from the rest of the international community.

Up to now, the governments of UK, Japan, ROK, Italy, Czech, etc. have contacted with MOFCOM and decided to provide emergency assistance for the disaster-affected areas.