Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing on Saturday night discussed aid to the tsunami-hit countries through multiple channels with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and World Health Organization Director-General Lee Jong-Wook by phone.

Li briefed the two on the aid provided by the Chinese government to the affected countries and said China appreciates and supports the leading and coordinating role of the United Nations in providing emergency help to the disaster-hit countries.     

He said China is ready to enhance cooperation with the United Nations and WHO and help those countries in their rescue and disease prevention efforts, including the supply of potable water to the victims.

The Chinese government will help those countries in reconstruction, Li said.

Annan and Lee spoke highly of China's vigorous role in aiding the tsunami-hit countries, saying that China's timely and substantial assistance once again demonstrated that China is an influential and responsible nation in global and regional affairs.     

They also expressed willingness to enhance cooperation with China.

An earthquake measuring 8.7 to 9 on the Richter Scale occurred west of the island of Sumatra, Indonesia last Sunday. It triggered tsunamis in some southeast and south Asian countries, causing enormous losses in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Maldives, Thailand and Malaysia. The death toll is now estimated at about 150,000.

(Xinhua News Agency January 2, 2005)