Russian Ambassador to China Sergey Razov on Friday honored four Chinese medical workers and officials for their work in treating children traumatized in the Beslan school hostage crisis.

Many children were injured in the hostage crisis in 2004, and the Chinese government and people offered medical care for two groups of badly hurt children, Razov said.

Russia's Ministry of Public Health and Social Development extended its heartfelt gratitude to the Chinese government and people, he said.

"A friend in need is a friend indeed", he said, adding Russia would provide medical treatment for more than 1,000 children injured in the May 12 earthquake.

Huang Jiefu, China's Vice Minister of Health, said the honor displayed the profound friendship of the people in both countries.

The Russian earthquake rescue team had deeply impressed the Chinese people with their superb medical skills and devotion to the work, he said.

Nineteen Russian children, in two groups, arrived in Sanya City, south China's Hainan Province, for a month-long convalescent stay in May 2006 and March 2008.

Their therapies included acupuncture and massage, both commonly employed by Chinese doctors to treat phobia and anxiety.

On September 1, 2004, a group of armed militants took more than 1,000 people hostage in a school in Beslan in the Russian Republic of North Ossetia. The crisis ended on the third day after a fierce exchange of gunfire, leaving 331 people dead, including 172 children.

(Xinhua News Agency July 5, 2008)