Qin Gang, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated:

After a devastating earthquake hit Sichuan Province, China, on May 12, many countries offered to provide material assistance to the disaster-stricken areas. The Chinese government welcomes and thanks for materials assistance from foreign governments. The foreign governments and official agencies wishing to donate materials may contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China and Chinese diplomatic missions abroad. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will contact the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the official receiving agency for material assistance in the speediest manner. The Ministry of Civil Affairs will handle the concrete matters related to the reception of material assistance and they will send the material assistance to the disaster-hit areas as soon as possible.