China to support quake-victims’ rehabilitation
From Javed Akhtar ( APP)

BEIJING—China’s State leader Tang Tiaxuan pledged to extend continued financial and material support to quake’s affected people in Pakistan.
He visited Pakistan Embassy here this morning to record his heartfelt condolence on the grave human loss in Pakistan, following the devastating earthquake. He assured that the Chinese government and the people would actively take part in the relief operation in the affected areas.
Talking to Pakistan’s ambassador Salman Bashir, he said Chinese top leadership, including President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jibao fully stand by their Pakistani friends, in their hour of great shock and distress.
Tang Tiaxuan, a former foreign minister said that the Chinese Premier has already issued instructions to relevant departments to arrange relief assistance for the quake’s victims on urgent basis.
As a good neighbor, Tang said, China and its people are very much concerned about the catastrophe that Pakistani people suffered and are greatly sympathetic to the victims.
China has quickly mobilized financial and material assistance to Pakistan and will play an active role in Pakistan’s post-disaster reconstruction process, Tang said.
He expressed his belief that the Pakistani people will be sure to overcome the disaster and rebuild their homeland under the leadership of President Pervez Musharraf and the Pakistani government.
Acknowledging the assistance, provided by the Chinese side, ambassador Salman Bashir said, it was a great source of comfort and strengthen for them at present difficult time. He noted China was the first country that promptly sent rescue and relief team to Pakistan. “We still need more help to mitigate the sufferings of the affected people”, he added.
Sources told APP that a Chinese company Hutchison Whampoa Limited and the Li Ka Shing Foundation in Hongkong have announced donation of US$500,000 to Pakistan for relief efforts.
China North Industries Corporation announced a donation of $300,000 to assist in relief operation. Ministry of Defense has also donated US dollar 100,000 in cash in emergency humanitarian aid to Pakistan for the rescue operations.
This is in addition to $ 6.2 million emergency aid already announced by the Chinese government. So far, four cargo aircraft, loaded with relief goods have been dispatched to Pakistan, the sources added.
Meanwhile, the Pakistani embassy also started to receive condolences from people of all walks of life in China on Thursday.