China to let in Japanese rescue team

China said it will allow emergency rescue teams from Japan to aid earthquake relief efforts, the first country from which it has accepted such help.

China said on Thursday it will allow emergency rescue teams from Japan to aid earthquake relief efforts, the first country from which it has accepted such help.

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"China's government has agreed with Japan on the sending of special rescue personnel to the Sichuan earthquake disaster zone to aid relief efforts," foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang said in a statement.

The announcement comes one week after Chinese President Hu Jintao paid a landmark visit to Japan meant to repair ties between the Asian powers, which have been scarred for decades by wartime memories.

Australia earlier said that China had declined an offer of help.