China angrily has denied accusations that its rescue team in Haiti was only searching for Chinese nationals missing after last week's devastating earthquake.
"Concerning the comments that Chinese rescuers only rescue Chinese, these comments are false and are made out of ulterior motives," foreign ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu told reporters on Tuesday.
"The Chinese rescue team departed China immediately after the quake. They not only found the bodies of the Chinese peacekeepers, they also found the bodies of UN officers in Haiti and many others."
The 60-strong Chinese medical team in Haiti has already treated more than 200 locals and China has air-lifted rescue supplies and aid to the devastated country, he said.
"These actions are not selfish and brook no accusations. The accusers should be accused," Ma said, after media reports about China's contribution to the humanitarian operation in Haiti.
"Our rescue team and Chinese peacekeepers have made a great contribution to the relief efforts. We have won high appraisal from relevant parties, including the secretary general of the United Nations."
Tens of thousands were killed in the 7.0-magnitude quake that struck Haiti on January 12, with an estimated quarter of a million injured and 1.5 million left homeless.
Ma said China would consider a UN request for nations to help provide an additional 3,500 peacekeepers to help maintain order in Haiti, but made no firm commitment.
The bodies of eight Chinese peacekeepers killed in the quake were on Tuesday repatriated and given a state funeral, including a procession down the Avenue of Heavenly Peace, the capital's main thoroughfare, past Tiananmen Square.
"They sacrificed their lives for the maintenance of peace. Here I would like to express deep condolences," Ma said.
© 2010 AFP
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