China accepts foreign medical teams to help relief work

China has agreed that foreign medical teams could come to China to help relief work in the wake of the massive earthquake in southwest Sichuan Province, said Qin Gang, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, on Monday.

"Considering the need of the current relief work, China Red Cross is authorized to accept medical teams from foreign countries to come to assist medical and treatment work," he said.

China would like to keep close contact with all nations on the rescue and relief work, Qin said.

He said some countries and Red Cross societies have expressed their hopes of sending medical teams to China, and the Chinese government and people are thankful for it.

The spokesman said the Chinese government is mobilizing all forces of the nation, including military and medical staffs, to join the relief work.

With regard to the time when foreign medical teams could enter China, the spokesman said the Chinese side has made necessary preparation, and medical teams from relevant countries should contact with the China Red Cross society as soon as possible. They can also contact with Chinese embassies in those countries, he said.

(Xinhua News Agency May 19, 2008)