Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Wednesday met in Bantul with representatives of the China International Search and Rescue Team, which is offering humanitarian aid in Indonesia's quake-hit Yogyakarta.

 

Susilo thanked the Chinese government for the all-round aid it has offered after the quake. He said the aid was given when Indonesia faces a hard time, and the Indonesian people will never forget the Chinese people's good will.

 

The president also expressed wishes that the two countries' friendship will be further strengthened.

 

Head of the Chinese relief team, Zhao Heping, who is also deputy director of the China Seismological Bureau, said that after the quake struck, the Chinese government and people were very concerned about the situation in Indonesia, and now they have sent the relief team here for the humanitarian aid.

 

Zhao said the 40-member rescue team is composed of medical workers as well as seismological experts, and the team will come up with suggestions for reconstruction after a careful evaluation of the disaster.

 

Susilo said the suggestions will be highly appreciated.

 

According to Chinese Ambassador Lan Lijun, who is also present at the meeting, the Chinese government will provide more material aid in the days to come.

 

The 5.9 magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia's ancient royal city of Yogyakarta and the surroundings on May 27, killing more than 5,000 people and injuring thousands of others.

 

Besides sending the international rescue team to the hardest-hit Bantul regency of Yogyakarta on May 29, the Chinese government had also provided Indonesia with US$2 million of aid in cash.

 

(Xinhua News Agency May 31, 2006)