On February 28, 2011, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi at request held a telephone conversation with his New Zealand counterpart Murray Mccully. Mccully thanked the Chinese government for extending condolences and offering assistance to New Zealand over the heavy casualties and property losses caused by a deadly earthquake that struck Christchurch. The Chinese government is willing to keep close contact with New Zealand and provide support within its power for the relief efforts, Yang said. He expressed belief that under the leadership of the New Zealand government, the people of the country will surely overcome the disaster as soon as possible, tide over the difficulties and rebuild their homeland.

Yang said the Chinese government appreciated the support rendered by New Zealand in searching and rescuing Chinese citizens after the earthquake. Yang expressed the hope that New Zealand would continue to overcome all difficulties to speed up efforts to search and rescue the trapped Chinese nationals and search for the missing. Mccully, for his part, said New Zealand would spare no efforts in searching and rescuing the trapped Chinese citizens.