The international community has praised China for its swift and open response to the devastating quake in Sichuan Province on Monday.

The Beijing News carries a commentary saying that the rescue teams have reached all the disaster areas as part of the comprehensive relief effort. This has created the conditions for the international community to provide help.

Many countries including the United States, Russia, Japan and Australia have already offered to help China overcome the difficulties it faces in the wake of the severe disaster.

The paper says when it comes to confronting unexpected disasters, the worldwide rescue effort is always beyond borders. In the past, the Chinese government has played an active role in international aid by sending rescue teams to other countries.

The paper goes on to say that the international response to disaster is more than humanitarianism or international custom. It is part of human beings' unbreakable connection with each other. This connection bridges racial, linguistic and political borders.

Rescue workers will continue to make saving lives the top priority as long as there is hope of survival.

And at this critical moment, one more professional rescue team, one more search dog or one more life detector means more hope of saving lives.

Therefore, the article says, in the name of life, China should welcome the international community's offer of support and assistance to China with an open, confident attitude. Both internal and external forces will join together with a common purpose and make a great contribution to relief and reconstruction in the quake-hit area.