Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi met with Japanese Ambassador to China Niwa Unichiro here on Monday to offer continued support for Japan's disaster relief work.

Yang said the Chinese government and leaders are paying close attention to the earthquake disaster in Japan and have conveyed their condolences to the Japanese leaders.

The Chinese rescue team started search and rescue operations Monday morning in Japan's northeastern Iwate Prefecture, and China's relief materials will also arrive in Japan on the same day, said Yang.

Chinese people from all walks of life have expressed their condolences to the Japanese people in various forms and are lending them a helping hand, he said.

China is willing to enhance cooperation with Japan on quake relief work and post-disaster reconstruction, he said, noting China believes that Japan would, as always, provide assistance to the affected Chinese nationals in Japan.

Niwa said the Japanese government and people sincerely thank the Chinese government and people for the condolence and relief assistance, including sending a rescue team and providing relief materials.

With support from countries around the world, including China, Japan would certainly overcome the difficulties and rebuild the homeland, he said.