On May 27th, the Kenyan newspaper, the Standard published the article Response to China quake evidence of great spirit, written by the Press Attaché of the Chinese Embassy in Kenya, on China's earthquake and the rescue and relief works of the Chinese government. The following is an excerpt of the article:

On the afternoon of 12th May, a devastating earthquake measuring 8.0 on the Richter Scale struck Sichuan Province in southwestern China. Since then, the region has experienced thousands of aftershocks. The quake caused many deaths, injuries, and loss of properties, destroying towns, villages and roads. Electricity, telecommunications, and water supply infrastructure were also destroyed.

In Wenchuan county, located at the epicenter, 80 to 90 percent of houses collapsed. Landslides triggered by the quake have destroyed 33,333 hectares of farmland.

As soon as the quake struck, the Chinese government carried out prompt, transparent and effective rescue operations.

President Hu Jintao immediately issued orders giving top priority to rescue and relief work. He called on military, police and paramilitary forces, as well as medical personnel, to rush to the quake-hit areas and spare no effort to save the injured and reduce the impact caused by the havoc. Premier Wen Jiabao flew to Sichuan Province two hours after he earthquake to lead emergency rescue operations. President Hu and other Chinese leaders also visited quake struck areas.

About 120,000 army soldiers have joined in disaster relief efforts. The first rescue team was dispatched to the disaster area within 14 minutes of earthquake.

The mountainous areas where the quake struck presents a challenge to rescue teams. With roads destroyed, many rescue teams have to travel on foot. Paratroopers were also dispatched despite the bad weather and complicated geographical conditions.

During this period, China- from ordinary people to top leaders, from the aged to youngsters, men and women, from the shock-hit areas to Beijing, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Tibet- the whole nation spelled out their fortitude, solidarity and love.

A lot of touching stories were heard: Premier Wen Jiabao was injured during the rescue but refused to be attended to because there were others in greater need; airborne troops made parachute jumps to the affected areas even in rainstorms; soldiers who had continuously worked for several days without sleep as aftershocks were still going on still cried out:"let me save one more!"

There were tales of teachers who pushed their students out of collapsing buildings and parents who used their bodies to shield their children but were themselves crushed to death. Throughout China, citizens queued in the streets to donate blood and adopt the children who lost their parents. Businessmen made huge donations and sold goods at throw-away prices to cater for the emergency needs. Factory employees worked tirelessly to produce medicines and other material.

The international community's support was crucial in dealing with the disaster. The Chinese government had a three-day national mourning, from May 19 to 21, to pay tribute to the quake victims.

The rescue operations and resettlement of victims remain a top priority. The Chinese government also attaches great importance to pandemic prevention. As President Hu has said, the Chinese nation has an honoured tradition of fighting in solidarity and succumbing to no hardship or difficulties.