US official praises response to quake

The way China responded to the May 12 earthquake has brought it closer to the world and offered a model for other countries to follow, a senior US official said yesterday in Beijing.

"The earthquake brings not only people in China closer together but also brings other countries closer to China it represents a model for other countries to follow," David Kramer, US assistant secretary of state for democracy, said at a press briefing.

On Monday, Kramer completed a round of talks on human rights with a Chinese delegation led by Wu Hailong, director-general of the Foreign ministry's international department.