Foreign military officers attending an ASEAN Plus Three (China, Japan, the Republic of Korea), also known as "10+3", workshop on disaster relief by armed forces on Thursday praised the Chinese armed forces' efforts after the May 12 earthquake.

"Which impressed me most is the way the PLA (the Chinese People's Liberation Army) has been able to mobilize forces at such a number, very fast and really helpful," said Md Amin Bin Muslan, commanding officer of the Army Hospital of Malaysia Armed Forces.

He believed the decision to involve the PLA early was good and with the advanced equipment, the PLA was doing the job very well.

Wardi Abdul Latip, defense attache with the Embassy of Brunei in Beijing, said the Chinese armed forces reacted speedily. "Almost immediately they were already on site, and all the rescue and relief took place," he said. It "reflects how efficient the command structure is".

Lee Ho Jun, a colonel from the Republic of Korean Ministry of Defense Affairs, said Chinese soldiers were working hard for the people.

"Armed forces have equipment and manpower. The Chinese armed forces arrived there in time, and they are working quickly and taking care of your people," said Piravat Junhanandana, assistant director of the disaster relief division of the Royal Thailand Armed Forces, who jointly donated 700 yuan (US$100) with another officer to China's quake-hit area.

Pratap Parameswaran, with the ASEAN Secretariat, said that taking into account the expertise and the resources they have, they are able to address the situation very well. "So it's important that we are here to learn how they have done it, and I hope the 10+3 also can learn on capacity building, if ever there was a disaster in our own countries,"

Patthana Bouttchak, with the Division of General Staff Department of Lao People's Army, said the Chinese armed forces had high technology and expertise. He would introduce the Chinese armed forces' experiences to his country to prepare the Lao people for international disaster relief.

Foreign officers also expressed condolences over the severe casualties and loss of property in China's earthquake.

The three-day workshop, the second of its kind, focused on the discussion of practical disaster relief cooperation among the 10+3 nations, such as coordinating mechanisms and standard operating procedures.

(Xinhua News Agency June 12, 2008)