After their meeting, Wen Jiabao and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon meet with journalists from home and abroad

On May 24, 2008, Premier Wen Jiabao, who is here in Wenchuan, Sichuan, to direct the disaster relief work, held an on-the-spot meeting in Yingxiu town with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who came to the quake-hit area to express condolences to the victims.

"Our meeting is extraordinary here in Wenchuan County, the epicenter of the 8.0-magnitude earthquake on May 12," Wen told Ban. Wen, on behalf of the Chinese government and people, expressed gratitude to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for his making a special trip to the disaster area to extend condolences to the victims.

While briefing Ban on China's earthquake relief work, Wen said after the earthquake, the international community has swiftly offered sympathy and condolences and provided rescuers, funds and materials to the quake zone. The United Nations has also offered emergency aid to China. "All these moves showcase all people's friendly feelings for China and their lofty humanitarian spirits and have made precious contributions to the relief efforts," Wen said, expressing sincere thanks for this on behalf of the Chinese government and people.

Noting that the whole nation is doing its utmost for the relief work, Wen said the Chinese are convinced that with the support and help of the international community, they will unite as one in relief efforts to overcome all difficulties, win the batter against the disaster and reconstruct the quake zones.

Ban said he felt deep sorrow for the heavy casualties and property losses the Wenchuan earthquake has inflicted on the quake zone, On behalf of the United Nations and in his own name, Ban expressed profound sympathy and condolences to the Chinese government and people. The international community is "deeply moved and inspired" by the prompt, well-organized response of the Chinese government and leaders to the devastating earthquake, Ban said. The relief work showed that the Chinese people are fearless, forceful and fortitudinous, Ban said, adding that China is a great nation where people are both self-reliant and team-spirited. The UN chief said he was convinced that the Chinese government and people would prevail against the natural disaster.

Ban said his visit to Wenchuan showed that the international community stands with the Chinese people. Ban pledged that the United Nations will do its utmost to help China with reconstruction.

The premier and the UN secretary-general also held an on-the-spot press conference.

Vice Premier Hui Liangyu, Chairman of the State Development and Reform Commission (SDRC) Zhang Ping, Minister of Finance Xie Xuren, Secretary of the Sichuan Provincial CPC Committee Liu Qibao, Governor of Sichuan Province Jiang Jufeng, Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Vice-Minister of Health Gao Qiang and Permanent Representative of China to the UN Wang Guangya attended the above-mentioned activities.

During his visit, Ban paid a silent tribute to the quake victims and extended sympathy to the affected people and the rescuers.