BEIJING, May 16 (Xinhua) -- China has accepted offers from Russia, the Republic of Korea (ROK) and Singapore to send rescue teams to the quake-hit Sichuan Province as the first foreign rescuers from Japan entered the area early on Friday.

    Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said early Friday morning that the Chinese government has accepted offers from the three countries by taking into consideration of their contiguity to China, which may ensure promptness of the aid.

    A 31-member Japanese rescue team arrived in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province in southwest China, early on Friday to assist local disaster relief efforts. Another 29 members will arrive Friday afternoon.

    The Japanese rescuers, made up of fire fighters, police, Japan Coast Guard personnel and members of the Japan International Cooperation Agency, were the first foreign aid personnel to...

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