On May 16, 2008, Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Zhai Jun met with Saudi Arabian ambassador to China Yahya bin Abdul-Kareem Al-Zaid. China expressed its thanks to Saudi Arabia for its donation of 50 million US dollars in cash and relief materials worth 10 million US dollars to the quake-hit areas.

Zhai said the precious support given by Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz at this crucial moment embodied King Abdallah and Saudi Arabian people's friendly sentiment toward the Chinese people. He said he believes that "the Chinese government and people will overcome all the difficulties caused by the quake and reconstruct our home with the help of the international community including Saudi Arabia."

Yahya said that the King, government and people of Saudi Arabia sympathize with the Chinese people affected by the disastrous quake. "We believe that Chinese people will win the fight against the disaster under the leadership of the Chinese government," he said.