Relationship between Indonesia and China have been tested and further strengthened in face of the fatal quake and tsunami, Indonisia's Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Alwi Shihab said Wednesday.

Alwi, in a meeting with a Chinese rescue team, thanked the Chinese government and people for donations and friendship to Indonesia, which was severely hit by the quake and tsunami.

Relations between Indonesia and China have been stable, said Alwi, expressing confidence that after the tsunami, cooperation between the two countries will be even closer.

The 35-member second contingent of Chinese rescuers arrived in Banda Aceh, capital of the worst-hit Aceh province, on Wednesday to provide medical service to people in the city and assist local hospitals in resuming functions.

Briefing Alwi on the work of the Chinese rescuers since their arrival in Aceh, team chief Liu Yuchen said they have treated 6,584 patients, carried out 284 operations and recovered 52 bodies.

In the next phase, the Chinese team will gradually shift its rescue efforts from medical treatment to epidemic prevention and hospital reconstruction, Liu said.

Indonesia is the country worst affected by the huge earthquake off its western island of Sumatra and the tidal waves it triggered on Dec. 26.

According to Alwi, life has gradually returned to normal in Banda Aceh, with marketplaces reopened and public order restored. Some hospitals have also partially returned to functioning.

(Xinhua News Agency January 12, 2005)