The Chinese and Russian presidents discuss bilateral ties and disasters

Chinese President Hu Jintao and his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev on Tuesday discussed bilateral relations and disastres during a telephone interview.

Medvedev sent his condolences to China for the worst landslide ever for the country for several decades and the enormous loss of human lives and destruction of property that it has caused. He expressed confidence that the government and the Chinese people would overcome all these difficulties and have the upper hand over the disaster.

He wished the injured a speedy recovery and a rapid rebuilding of areas affected by mudslides, stressing that Russia was willing to provide assistance to China.

Hu, meanwhile, said the Chinese government reacted immediately to the disaster Zhouqu County in Gansu Province of China and has fully dedicated to humanitarian and relief operations.

Ensuring the protection of civilians was the first priority of the Chinese government and it has done everything possible to assist those affected by the mudslides of August 8, 1254 which have so far died and 490 disappeared, he explained.

The Chinese president expressed his gratitude to the Government and people of Russia because President Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin reacted swiftly by sending their condolences respectively and offering assistance.

China has also shown deep concern about the deadly bush fires in Russia. He also said he understood the pain of Russia after the huge losses of lives and destruction of property, said the Chinese president, adding that China has offered to help.

Editor of Russian government, the people of Russia did its best to fight against bush fires and has effectively protected its people and its property, said Hu, who once again expressed condolences to Russia on behalf government and Chinese people.

China has expressed its willingness to strengthen cooperation in relief with Russia to exchange experiences and help each other through the system of coordinated bilaterally and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in the interest the two countries and two peoples, Hu said.
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