Deep appreciation expressed for nation's swift quake response(3)

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

Responsible neighbor

The Yunnan rescue and medical team was joined in Myanmar by a Hong Kong search and rescue team, the China Search and Rescue Team, the China International Search and Rescue Team, as well as various civilian rescue forces from different parts of the mainland.

The Chinese Red Cross International Emergency Response Team traveled to Mandalay, where its 15 team members were involved in search and rescue efforts, care and transfer of survivors, medical assistance, and provided psychological counseling.

On Sunday, while preparing for departure at Kunming airport, they encountered a middle-aged Myanmar overseas Chinese named Sein Yee, who cried with excitement upon seeing the team.

Sein had planned to fly back to Mandalay from Mangshi of Dehong Dai and Jingpo autonomous prefecture, Yunnan, on Friday. Due to the earthquake, the flight was canceled so she transferred to Kunming.

"On one hand, I was moved because we were in distress, and China promptly came to our rescue," she said. "On the other hand, seeing the disaster scenes sent by friends after the earthquake made me very sad."

"My heart has been aching, hoping more people are rescued as soon as possible," she said.

Ma Yong, a researcher at the Yunnan Academy of Social Sciences, said that China and Myanmar form a community with a shared future. The two countries share "weal and woe", bound by a profound pauk-phaw ("fraternal" in the Myanmar language) friendship between their peoples.

"True solidarity shines brightest in times of adversity," Ma said. "Upon learning of the devastating earthquake in Myanmar, the Chinese government immediately extended assistance, with Chinese rescue teams being the first to arrive on the scene.

"They swiftly engaged in relief operations and announced humanitarian aid. The rapid and efficient involvement of Chinese rescue forces has helped people in Myanmar fight the disaster. This has further strengthened the 'heart-to-heart connectivity' between the peoples of China and Myanmar."

Ran Aobo, a researcher at Tsinghua University's Institute for Urban Governance and Sustainable Development, said China, as a responsible big country, had sent emergency response teams multiple times to other countries for disaster relief work.

China is a participant in Integrated Research on Disaster Risk, an international scientific program co-sponsored by the International Science Council and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, he added.

"China has a strong capability and willingness to enhance international cooperation in disaster relief," he said, adding that the country leverages its expertise in technical training and data sharing.

As Myanmar is an important neighbor, China's actions are also proof of the two countries' long-lasting friendship, he added.