On 6 January, Ambassador Chen Yuming met Ms Heather Smith, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and conveyed a message of sympathies from Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi on behalf of the Chinese Government sent to his Australian counterpart Minister Kevin Rudd, regarding the severe floods in northeast Australia. In his message, Minister Yang said, "I have learned with sadness of the devastating floods that have ravaged parts of northeast Australia, which have inflicted casualties and severe loss of properties. On behalf of the Chinese Government and in m own name, I would like to extend sincere sympathies to the Australian Government and people in the affected areas. I am sure that under the leadership of the Australian Government, the Australian people will surely brave the difficulties, overcome the disaster and rebuild their homes".

Ambassador Chen also informed Deputy Secretary Smith about the decision by the Red Cross Society of China to provide 50,000 US dollars worth of emergency assistance to the Australian Red Cross, and handed a 50,000 US dollar cheque to Ms Smith. Ambassador Chen said the Chinese Government and people have shown deep sympathies to the people affected by the severe floods in Queensland and other parts of Australia, and stood ready to offer assistance to the rescue and relief efforts.

Deputy Secretary thanked on behalf of the Australian Government and Minister Kevin Rudd the Chinese side for its sympathies and assistance. She said this was a strong demonstration of the friendly sentiment of the Chinese people toward the Australia people, and would help the affected people overcome the disaster and rebuild homes at an early date.

Earlier this week, Ambassador Chen sent a letter of sympathies to the Premier of Queensland Anna Bligh.