On May 17, 2008, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice extended again condolences to the people affected by the Wenchuan earthquake in a telephone conversation with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi. Rice also expressed U.S. readiness to provide further relief support to the quake-hit areas.

Yang briefed Rice on China's all-out rescue and relief efforts and thanked the U.S. government and non-governmental organizations for their financial and material support to the people in the disaster areas.