Nearly 100 Russian rescue and medical workers were awarded medals in Moscow on Tuesday for their aid and assistance in China's devastating Wenchuan earthquake.

Chinese Ambassador Liu Guchang, commissioned by Sichuan provincial government, presented commemorate medals to 98 rescuers and medical workers, at the rescue headquarter of the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations.

Liu praised the Russian emergency ministry for their timely delivery of aid supplies in the wake of the quake, as well as their heroic rescue of a survivor who had been buried for 127 hours.

Liu also spoke highly of Russia's sincere efforts to help comfort the children traumatized by the catastrophe, and their dispatch of a Mi-26 helicopter to help discharge waters in Tangjiashan barrier lake.

In his address, Vladimir Puchkov, a deputy minister from the ministry, hailed the friendship and cooperation demonstrated by rescuers of the two countries following the quake, saying their joint rescue efforts proved very effective.

Both sides agreed that the two countries have broad prospect for cooperation in emergency assistance, the development of equipment for disaster prevention and management, personnel training and the exchange of relevant information.

(Xinhua News Agency December 24, 2008)