The rescue operation by the Chinese authorities was "very well organized" in the wake of a magnitude-8 earthquake which struck southwest China on May 12, a British medical expert said on Wednesday.

"The rescue operation was so very well organized and effective that we had no major difficulties to carry out our rescue work," Professor Tony Redmond, who just returned from China's southwest city of Mianyang, told Xinhua in an interview.

The rapid response and efficiency were really impressive given the scale of the disaster and the complexity on the ground, he said, adding that continuous aftershocks, earthquake lakes and a bunch of other things made rescue work much harder.

Redmond, a professor of international emergency medicine at the University of Manchester, worked in Mianyang for nine days, leading a seven-member rescue team of British medical experts.

"During our work the deepest impression I had was of how bravely people had responded to the earthquake and how bravely they had recovered and how they had the determination to go on and restore life back to normal," he said.

The British expert also praised the smooth communication between his rescue team and Chinese doctors.

"We had a very good interpreter and we made good contacts with Chinese doctors. The experience enhanced our relationship."

Redmond said for international rescue teams, it is always important to work closely with the local authorities and work in support of the local authorities.

Redmond expressed his hope that if there is still a need he could make arrangements to send more doctors to the affected areas in China.

(Xinhua News Agency June 5, 2008)