BEIJING - CHINA has accepted offers from Russia, South Korea and Singapore to send rescue teams to earthquake-hit Sichuan province, state media reported early on Friday.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang was quoted by Xinhua news agency as saying that the Chinese government had accepted the offers, taking into consideration their proximity to China, which may ensure prompt aid.

The announcement was made just as state media reported a Japanese rescue team had arrived in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province, the first foreign emergency workers to aid the relief efforts.

Xinhua gave no more details as to why Beijing had chosen to accept help from Russia, Singapore and South Korea, or when teams from those countries might arrive in China.

The decision came after Beijing had previously rejected any foreign offers to send rescue teams.

Australian expertise was politely declined on Wednesday, and South Korean specialists were also initially rejected, even though China faces a race against time to find survivors.

A second team of Japanese experts is expected to leave for China later on Friday. -- AFP