On April 22, 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping received credentials presented by new ambassadors from nine foreign countries in the Great Hall of the People. The ambassadors are Masood Khalid from Pakistan, Ernest M. Makawa from Malawi, Farid Abboud from Lebanon, Omer Eisa Ahmed from Sudan, Eva Fundafunda from Zambia, Salaheddin M.I. Elbishari from Libya, Erlinda F. Basilio from the Philippines, Manuel Valencia from Spain and Jorge Torres-Pereira from Portugal.

Xi welcomed the foreign ambassadors to take office in China and asked them to convey his warm greetings to their respective government leaders and peoples. Xi also hoped that they would contribute to the promotion of bilateral ties of their respective countries with China.

Xi noted that a strong earthquake hit Lushan County in China's southwest province of Sichuan on April 20, causing severe casualties and property losses. The earthquake attracted the attention of every Chinese. The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the State Council and the Central Military Commission responded soon after the earthquake by sending troops and rescue workers to the quake zone. At the moment, all the rescue work in the quake area is carried out in an intense and orderly way.

Xi pointed out that when disasters strike, help comes from all sides. The international community expressed its sympathy, condolences and support in various ways to the Chinese government and its people, which fully indicates its friendly relations with the Chinese people and will bolster the willpower and determination of the Chinese people in their efforts for earthquake rescue and relief. On behalf of the Chinese government and its people, Xi expressed his sincere appreciation to the governments, the peoples of those countries and the international organizations. Xi also expressed strong belief that the natural disaster will be conquered and the earthquake-stricken areas will be rebuilt under the sound leadership of the Party and the government, with the strong support and assistance of the international community and with the united efforts, strong solidarity and hard struggle of all Chinese.

The foreign ambassadors conveyed the deep condolences of their respective countries to the Lushan earthquake. They expressed their belief that the Chinese government and its people would conquer the disaster and they showed their willingness to continue their support to China. They also noted that they would make positive efforts to promote their friendship and cooperation with China.