China's Foreign Ministry has briefed foreign embassies in Beijing on the recent snow and ice-incurred disaster in some southern provinces, saying that all related departments and regions have made every effort to fight the disaster.

It also asked China's overseas diplomatic organizations to brief foreign governments and international communities on the disaster situation, the ministry said.

The Chinese government has been attaching great importance to the current disaster and the relief work. President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao and some other senior officials have been, or are currently at, the affected cities, with relevant regions and departments taking active measures to perform rescue and relief work, the ministry said.

Meanwhile, many countries have offered their condolences and aid to disaster regions, and provided support to the Chinese government for its quick and active relief work. The Chinese government expressed its heartfelt gratitude, the foreign ministry said.

(Xinhua News Agency February 3, 2008)