On the evening of May 12, 2008, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon held telephone talks.

Ban said upon learning that Sichuan province was hit by a severe earthquake, he, on behalf of the UN, expressed deep sympathy and sincere solicitude toward the Chinese government and people, and deep condolences over those killed. He also expressed his belief that the people in the disaster areas, under the strong leadership of the Chinese government and leaders, would overcome the difficulties caused by the quake and rebuild their homeland. The UN will spare no efforts in supporting China's disaster relief and reconstruction work, he added.

Yang, besides extending his thanks to Ban, said he would pass on Ban's message to the people in the disaster areas as soon as possible. The minister said China's related departments are further assessing the damage caused by the quake. "We are confident that the Chinese people, under the strong leadership of the Chinese government, can overcome losses caused by the disaster, help residents in quake-hit areas rebuild their homes swiftly, and try to restore work and life as early as possible."