BEIJING, May 27 (Xinhua) -- On May 12, the worst earthquake in more than three decades hit China's Sichuan province, causing huge human and property losses.

　　The Chinese government's rapid and well-organized rescue and relief efforts, and its openness to information release and news report about the disaster has won wide recognition, including some British and American media.

　　RAPID RESPONSE TO DISASTER

　　BBC (British Broadcasting Corp.) said in its observer article that China responded "promptly" to the quake. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao rushed to the disaster areas hours after the quake. China's national TV services such as CCTV also gave rapid response, providing timely special coverage of the earthquake, the article said.

　　The leading U.K. newspaper Times said that Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao immediately traveled to the quake-stricken area to lead the rescue and relief efforts. This shows the care and concern of the Chinese leaders for the people.

　　An Associated Press (AP) report said that from the very beginning, China's government quickly moved into high-gear, sending 20,000 soldiers and police into the disaster area with 30,000 more on the way. The government was also mobilizing food, clothes, tents and plastic sheeting for the victims and sent Premier Wen Jiabao to oversee relief efforts.

　　"The central government really cares about us," AP quoted farmer Li Sijun, 44, whose home collapsed in the town of Yingxiu. "Both (President) Hu Jintao and the premier visited us."

　　The AP quoted British top UN envoy John Sawers as saying, "I think China has reacted very promptly to the appalling disaster...and I think the political attention, the rapid response, has been admirable."

　　MORE MEDIA TRANSPARENCY

　　Western media also made positive comment on Chinese government's more open approach to the information release and news coverage of the disaster, calling it inspiring.

　　CNN (Cable News Network) of the U.S. reported that CCTV, China's national television network, as well as many local TV stations, have interrupted their regular programming to provide 24-hour coverage of the disaster.

　　Field reporters give live reports of search-and-rescue operations. News about China's deadly earthquake is being updated around the clock -- tallying death tolls, the horrendous damage and the government's swift response.

　　No restrictions have been imposed on foreign reporters to visit the disaster area to cover the event, such as shooting pictures, interviewing people, and distributing stories and photos to the world, BBC reported.

　　China's media have been quick to provide the figures of the dead and the missing in the quake, and broadcast footage of toppled buildings and devastated roads within the first few hours, AP said.

　　"The nonstop, candid coverage is remarkable given China's usual response to disasters," commented AP.

　　Another AP report on May 24 commented that with allowing uncharacteristic openness in the 24-hour earthquake coverage, China's national media have shaped the news agenda and gained sympathy for a catastrophe that has killed more than 60,000 people. China is receiving wide-ranging praise for its quick earthquake response.

　　WELL-ORGANIZED RELIEF EFFORTS

　　A commentary of Britain's Daily Telegraph said the Chinese leaders' response to the massive earthquake destruction has been "impressive."

　　The 50,000 troops dispatched to Wenchuan, the epicenter of an eight-magnitude earthquake, have made an immediate impact to efforts in helping to rescue trapped survivors and distributing vital food and medical supplies, the daily said.

　　"The operation has been well-managed, with airports closed to civilian traffic so as not to impede relief flights. Television bulletins broadcast appeals for blood donations, and priority has been given to restoring electricity and clearing roads," it said.

　　The Chinese have demonstrated their proficiency at crisis management, the article commented.

　　A BBC report saw the Chinese government quickly mobilizing a large amount of materials to implement "deeply impressive" relief measures. It believed that at this stage of China's economic power, the nation is capable of weathering the disaster.