The twin disasters of earthquake and ensuing tsunami have left over 8000 people dead and almost 13,000 others unaccounted for. The Chinese rescue team has returned from Japan after completing its one-week mission. Despite worries of radiation, they are all in good health.

The Chinese International Rescue Team touched down at Beijing International Airport early Monday morning.

A brief welcome ceremony followed.

Chen Jianmin, Director of China Seismological Bureau said "Not only have you conducted search and rescue operations, you represented China and its government, as well as its people. Thank you all for fulfilling your duties."

The Chinese rescue team was assigned to Ofunato city in Iwate Prefecture - one of the areas hardest hit by the quake.

The team had to overcome the difficulties of aftershocks and sudden snowfall.

Yin Guanghui, Team Leader of Chinese International Rescue Team said "We slept very little while we were working in Ofunato city. It was exhausting, but it's normal for us, as saving lives is like being in a battle field."

Among all the difficulties, radiation was the biggest hazard.

Luckily, they said the area where they worked is within a radiation-free zone.

Yin Guanghui said "We thank you for your concern. We carried radiation monitoring equipment and our camp was within the safety zone. But of course we have to run some tests."

The team's work zone covered four square kilometers, including 140 badly damaged sites. They searched through factories, ships and vehicles. Over the course of their week there, the work changed from searching for survivors to finding the dead and cleaning the area.

Rescue teams from the US, Britain, Germany, Switzerland, Australia and New Zealand have also returned to their countries in the last couple of days.

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