Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met in Beijing Monday with envoys from three earthquake-hit South Asian nations to express China's willingness to provide assistance.

Wen once again expressed his heart-felt condolences to the governments and the peoples of Pakistan, India and Afghanistan, which were devastated by earthquakes last week.

Wen met with Pakistani ambassador Salman Bashir, the charge-de-affaires of the Indian embassy, Vinay Kwatra and Afghan ambassador Qiamuddin Rai Barlas in Zhongnanhai, the headquarters of the Chinese government in Beijing.

Wen said he arranged this meeting for the special purpose of expressing the heart-felt sympathy in person that the Chinese government, people, President Hu Jintao and himself had for the governments and peoples of the three countries. He also expressed deep grief and condolences to the victims of the earthquakes.

Strong earthquakes in South Asia on October 8 have caused great losses of life and property in the region. According to the latest report, the death toll has risen to between 30,000 and 40,000.

Noting that Pakistan, India and Afghanistan are friendly neighbors of China, Wen said the sudden occurrence of the natural disaster has struck a chord of sympathy in the hearts of the Chinese people.

Chinese leaders have sent condolences to the leaders of Pakistan and India and swiftly made the decision of offering 6.2 million US dollars-worth of relief aid to Pakistan. A rescue team from China arrived in Pakistan Sunday and immediately embarked on rescuing efforts.

Chinese embassies in India and Afghanistan have kept close contact with the governments of the two countries.

China is willing to provide assistance within its own capacity for the disaster relief and reconstruction efforts in the three countries, though China is a developing country, Wen said.

"A friend in need is a friend indeed," Wen said.

"Through the joint efforts to overcome the disasters caused by earthquakes, the deep-rooted friendship between our countries will become even stronger," he said.

Wen expressed the belief that under the leadership of the governments of the three countries and with the assistance of the international community, the peoples of the three countries will be able to overcome the natural disaster and rebuild their homes. Pakistani ambassador Bashir said China is one of the first countries to offer aid and send rescue teams to his country after the earthquakes. He said the move reflects the deep friendship between Pakistan and China. The Pakistani government and people were deeply moved and grateful.

The envoys from India and Afghanistan also expressed appreciation for the friendship of the Chinese government and people.

Source: Xinhua