The Chinese President, Hu Jintao, has espressed his government's gratitude for the aid and assistance of foreign countries in the wake of Monday's earthquake.

Mr Hu who is in Sichuan province made the remarks at a meeting on rescue and relief work.

Offers of help have flooded in and foreign rescue teams from Japan, Russia, Taiwan, South Korea and Singapore are now working in the affected region.

Donations from China and abroad have topped 899-million-dollars.

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