China will conquer the earthquake catastrophe and reduce the lose to the minimum extent, with the leadership of the central government and the efforts of soldiers and people in disaster-hit areas, said Chinese top legislator Wu Bangguo on Friday.

Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, made the remarks in a meeting with Wilby Lucas, deputy speaker of the National Assembly of Seychelles.

"We are very sorrowful that our compatriots lost their lives during the massive earthquake," Wu said.

He said Chinese President Hu Jintao organized a meeting immediately after the earthquake to arrange the relief work, and Hu himself flew to the earthquake-hit area of Sichuan Province on Friday to console the victims, visit the soldiers, police, and medical workers, and guide the disaster relief work.

Wu said over the past few days, China mobilized all forces to rescue the people buried in the debris, treat the injured and rebuild broken facilities.

"The rescue work is moving in a capable, orderly, and effective way," he said.

Lucas extended condolences to the victims and expressed sympathy to China for its suffering in the massive earthquake.

On China-Seychelles relations, Wu said China will increase contact with Seychelles on the levels of parties, legislative organs and governments, and further cooperation on infrastructure, fishery, telecommunications and tourism.

Lucas said the Seychelles attached importance to relations with China, adhered to the one-China policy, and would cement cooperation in all fields.

(Xinhua News Agency May 16, 2008)