Deep appreciation expressed for nation's swift quake response(2)

Members from the Chinese Red Cross International Emergency Response Team conduct rescue efforts at residential dwellings on Monday in Mandalay, Myanmar. WEI XIAOHAO/CHINA DAILY

Heartfelt gratitude

After saving the woman, Mu led the squad to the main building of the hospital, where a trembling elderly man grabbed his wrist and spoke in a croaky voice to him.

Translators and local firefighters informed Mu that the man was a relative of a victim whose body had been retrieved from the debris.

Despite the outcome not being as desired, he expressed deep gratitude for the hard work of the rescue team.

"Although we couldn't understand each other's languages, his emotions and sincerity deeply touched us," Mu said.

On Sunday morning, Myanmar's leader Min Aung Hlaing visited the hospital and expressed heartfelt gratitude to the entire Yunnan rescue and medical team for their prompt arrival in Myanmar for rescue operations.

Medical team member He Jibo communicated and coordinated with accompanying Myanmar health officials. He said that they were very concerned about the occurrence and spread of infectious diseases due to poor hygiene.

The Chinese team will work with Myanmar's health department and disease control center to further clarify post-disaster health and epidemic prevention needs, He said.

"The rescue operation in the quake-hit area faces various difficulties. Myanmar, both officially and privately, is deeply moved by China's immediate mobilization for disaster relief," said Chin Myint, managing director of Yangon-based Myanmar Weimin Energy Technology Co.

"As far as I know, the number of Chinese rescuers who arrived in Mandalay has exceeded 300," he said on Monday.

Chin said he was on a business trip to Mandalay on Friday when he felt the strong earthquake while checking into his hotel.

He said he immediately went to the hardest-hit area of the city to assist front-line rescue workers and also participated in fundraising for the victims and survivors. "We need to do our best. The buildings have collapsed, but we cannot let hope collapse as well," he said.