China rescue team leaves for Haiti

A Chinese rescue team is leaving Beijing for earthquake stricken Haiti. The 60-member group is composed of rescuers, medical personnel, experts, and three search dogs. Earlier in the day, one of the team leaders spoke about their preparations for the mission.

Liu Xiangyang, Vice Leader of Chinese Int'l Search & Rescue Team, said, "Our cell phones have been connected to China's seismological network. So, by six o'clock this morning, we had received messages about the earthquake in Haiti, and knew we would be deployed there. The formal order came by eight a.m. Our team members were receiving outdoor survival training. We called them back immediately. We finished all of our preparations in an hour and 20 minutes. We planned to arrive at Capital International Airport by four p.m."

Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping (R) shakes hands with Nawaz Sharif,  chief of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), at the Great Hall  of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 12, 2010.  (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

China delivers aid, rescue team to quake-hit Haiti

BEIJING, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- China sent an emergency rescue team Wednesday evening to quake-hit Haiti, where several thousands of lives may have been claimed.

Chinese leadership expressed sympathy with and deep condolence to the Haitian people for their loss in the strongest ever quake in about 200 years in the Caribbean islands country, with which China has no diplomatic relations. Full Story>>