BEIJING, Feb. 11 (Xinhua) -- The last 30 days since the devastating earthquake in Haiti have not only witnessed the suffering and fortitude of the Haitian people, but also the borderless love of the international community.

As a major developing country, China actively joined the world-scale disater-relief efforts and exhibited the glorious humanitarian spirit.

STRENUOUS RESCUE EFFORTS

The 7.3-magnitude earthquake in the afternoon of Jan. 12 ruined the capital Port-au-Prince and killed thousands of people in a moment.

"The whole city sank into darkness. People were running, crying or screaming on the street with nowhere to go," said an official from an international charity group.

"There are no people, no medicine, no explanations. There is nothing ... Who can tell me why my daughter should die like this?" cried a mother who was holding her dying daughter in her arms outside a hospital.

The world heard the cry for help from the heavily damaged Caribbean nation and took immediate actions. In addition to the 10 million U.S. dollars in emergency aid announced by the United Nations, rescue teams and materials were sent to Haiti from across the world.

As soon as news of the disaster reached China, the Chinese leadership ordered related departments to be prepared for assistance.

In the early morning of Jan. 14 local time, a Chinese chartered plane carrying 60 rescuers and doctors as well as equipment and medicine landed at the airport of Port-au-Prince.

The Chinese rescuers started to work as soon as they reached the headquarters of the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). There, the Chinese peacekeeping police officers who had been stationed in Haiti and survived the earthquake had pulled several people out of the rubble.

"We can't miss the best time to think about safety instead of saving lives, because it will be late if we wait," said Wang Xueyan, who worked with her Canadian colleague Martin to rescue five people in two hours after the quake.

Wang said she walked out of the building ten minutes before its collapse in the earthquake.

After about 36 hours of continuous work, the Chinese rescuers dug out the bodies of the MINUSTAH chief, vice chief and eight Chinese peacekeeping police officers. They were attending a meeting in the building at the time of the quake.

Moved by the spirit of the Chinese rescue team, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said "thank you" in Chinese three times when he visited the Chinese rescuers at the site of the MINUSTAH headquarters on Jan. 17.

Sustaining the agony of losing colleagues and comrades, the Chinese rescuers moved to other badly damaged sites to look for traces of life.

"We make 200-percent efforts on the slightest hope," said Wang Zhiqiu, vice team leader of the Chinese rescue team.

MEDICAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL AND MATERIAL ASSISTANCE

Medical professionals, equipment and materials were badly needed in the aftermath of the disaster in Haiti, which was listed as one of the most underdeveloped nations in the world.

A team of 15 doctors were among the first batch of Chinese rescuers, and they set up a medical treatment center in front of the Haitian prime minister's residence on the next day of their arrival in Haiti. On Jan. 25, the second batch of Chinese doctors arrived in Haiti.

While the Chinese doctors were sympathetic to their Haitian patients' physical suffering, they were also aware of the pressing necessity for psychological counseling among victims. The language barrier was easily surmounted with a pamphlet of psychological guidance being translated into French for circulation.

For a lot of Haitian victims, reading the pamphlet was the first psychological help they received after days of trauma caused by the loss of homes and family members.

Meanwhile, disaster-relief materials were assembled in China and transported to Haiti in the fastest possible way. As the first and second batches of foods, water and medicines have reached the Haitian people, the third batch is ready for delivery.

The UN Secretary-General praised the Chinese government and people's strong support and generous help for Haiti, saying that he was moved by the Chinese rescuers' courageous performance.

During a meeting on Sunday with Wang Shuping, head of the China Trade Development Office in Haiti, Haiti's President Rene Preval expressed his gratefulness for the Chinese rescue team and the medical assistance team, which, he said, played significant roles in the disaster-relief process.

RECONSTRUCTION UNDERWAY

Enduring great sorrow, the Haitian people have started to take initial steps to rebuild their country with the help of the international community.

In a temporary tent city near Delmas street in Port-au-Prince, there are about a dozen tents provided by China. The large Chinese tents were allocated for big families.

"I live in a Chinese tent," a little boy who said his name was Anjero often told others with excitement. He shares the tent with his 26 other family members.

"We want to say 'thank you' to Chinese friends," he said.

China's humanitarian aid to Haiti showed the Chinese government and people's respect of lives and human rights.

"China is willing to continue to work with the international community to help the quake victims in Haiti rebuild their homes at an early date," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu.

China has so far provided Haiti with material and medical assistance worth 7 million U.S. dollars, as well as another 3.6 million dollars in remittance. The Chinese Charitable Society called on all charities across China to actively solicit donations for Haiti.

In addition to their routine patrols for the security of Haitian people, the Chinese riot police in Haiti have now become goodwill ambassadors. When they took water, food, stationery and tents to an orphanage in the eastern suburb of the capital, they were warmly welcomed by cheering children.

"This is the first time for us to receive assistance after the quake," said Rachel, whose mother was founder of the orphanage.

"Your nice sentiment was from the bottom of your heart ... I would like to say 'thanks' in the name of the Haitian people," said Gessie Bellerive, chief coordinator of the relief materials.

In spite of all the help from the outside world, the small Caribbean island country is undoubtedly facing a tough road to recovery. According to preliminary estimates, reconstruction may take more than ten years and demand up to one billion dollars.

The Haitian government is drawing up plans to move a large number of people out of the over-populated capital, and the UN Development Program has carried out a cash-for-work program to encourage local people to clear rubble in the capital.

Order has been partially restored in Port-au-Prince, as banks have resumed business and supermarkets have reopened. Music could be heard from corners of streets, and smiles were seen when people greet each other.

"The disaster is not horrible, as long as we have hope," said Jan Francois, an old man who has witnessed a coup, turmoil, poverty and famine.