Nirj Deva, Chairman of the EU-China Friendship Group in the European Parliament, highly praised the rescue efforts by China after the devastating earthquake in Sichuan Province.

The rescue efforts by the Chinese government are going "very well" and the fact that the whole nation is involved in the efforts is "very good," Deva told Xinhua in a telephone interview on Wednesday.

He also said that he would ask the European Commission to provide more aid, particularly tents, to the people in the quake-hit region.

Deva, a Conservative member of the European Parliament for the South East of England, is attending a session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France.

Last week, Deva sent a letter to Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, expressing his deep condolences for the victims of the earthquake.

"I am writing to express our profound sadness and horror at the loss of lives and devastation caused by the earthquake," he said in the letter.

The death toll from China's devastating earthquake rose by 1,278 to 41,353 as of noon on Wednesday. Another 274,683 people were injured. There are still 32,666 people unaccounted for in the aftermath of the 8.0-magnitude quake that struck on May 12.

China declared three days of national mourning from May 19-21 for the quake victims and the Olympic torch relay was suspended during the three days.

In the letter, Deva also wished the Beijing Olympic Games a great success, which will open on August 8.

"I am aware of the challenge that this catastrophe presents to the government of the PRC, particularly at a time when the country is gearing up to face the challenges of a successful Olympics," Deva also said in the letter.

"In this regard, and in the particular circumstances, may we take this opportunity to wish your country well, including a great success at the Olympic games," it added.

On Monday, James Moran, Director for Asia of the External Relations Directorate-General of the European Commission, and Dirk Sterckx, chair of the European Parliament delegation for relations with China, went to the Chinese mission headquarters in Brussels to mourn the victims of the catastrophy.

They expressed solidarity with and support for the Chinese people following the May 12 earthquake on behalf of the EU.

(Xinhua News Agency May 22, 2008)