More countries, organizations offer condolences, aid for China quake

Source: Xinhua | 05-23-2008 20:05

BEIJING, May 23 (Xinhua) -- More countries and international organizations have, by various means, offered their condolences and aid for the deadly earthquake that jolted southwestern China.

Malian President Amadou Toumany Toure went to the Chinese embassy in Mali Thursday to pay tribute to victims of the earthquake that struck China's southwestern Sichun province on May12.

Toure expressed in the condolence book his deep sorrow over the huge loss of lives and property during the earthquake, expressed the deepest sympathy to the brave Chinese people and the Chinese government on behalf of the Malian people and government.

Mali also offered 25 million FCFA (about 60,000 U.S. dollars) in aid to quake-hit regions in China.

Nigerien Prime Minister Seini Oumarou went to the Chinese embassy and expressed deep condolences to the Chinese government and people as well as bereaved families in the name of the Nigerien government and people.

Danish Foreign Minister Per Stig Moeller visited the Chinese embassy to mourn the victims of the quake.

He said Denmark can feel the pain that the Chinese people suffer from the earthquake, and Denmark is prepared to contribute to the quake-hit areas at any moment when China needs it.

The Central Committee of Mozambique's ruling Frelimo Party, Mozambican government officials as well as overseas Chinese in Mozambique went to the Chinese embassy from Monday to Wednesday topay tribute to the dead.

They spoke highly of the quick response of the Communist Party of China and the leaders of the Chinese government to take rescue measures and believed that the Chinese people would surmount the disaster, resume life and rebuild homes.

Nearly 100 overseas Chinese in Ecuador visited the Chinese Consulate General in Guayaquil, Ecuador from Monday to Wednesday to mourn earthquake victims.

Delegates from the Overseas Chinese Association in Ecuador visited the Consulate General Monday morning and observed a moment of silence in memory of the dead.

"We express the deepest condolences and sympathy to the victims of the earthquake. The overseas Chinese in Ecuador stand with you. We believe that the Chinese people cannot be beaten," delegates wrote in the condolence book.

The Consulate General has received donations of more than 96,000 U.S. dollars from overseas Chinese.

Algerian Prime Minister Abdelaziz Belkhadem, Speaker of the Algerian National Assembly Abdelaziz Ziari and President of the Algerian Council of the Nation Abdelkader Bensalah went to the Chinese embassy in Algeria to pay tribute to the earthquake victims and sign the condolence book.

Chinese Ambassador to Algeria Liu Yuhe wrote in the condolence book, "May the dead rest in peace and those living be strong. Let the world be filled with love."

South Korean Prime Minister Han Seung-soo visited the Chinese embassy Friday to extend his deep condolence and sympathy to those who lost their lives during the earthquake.

Han said he believed the Chinese government and people can overcome the disaster and rebuild their homes with great strength.

The Kazakh government announced Friday that a batch of aid material worth 3.6 million dollars would be sent to China's quake-stricken areas including medicine, tents, food and clothing.

Kazakh Prime Minister Karim Masimov met with the Chinese ambassador to Kazakhstan Zhang Xiyun, offering heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the quake victims.

A charter plane loaded with an Italian mobile hospital and 110 tents arrived at Shuangliu Airport, Chengdu, the capital city of China's Sichuan province, on Friday morning.

The mobile hospital is equipped with generators and a full set of equipment necessary for sophisticated surgery.

The Italian medical team with the hospital has headed for Mianzhu City to carry out rescue tasks.

So far Italy has donated funds and relief material worth 3.365 million euros including 410 special tents.

Editor:Zhang Ning