Chinese fact-finding mission on earthquake to arrive today
From Javed Akhtar (APP)

BEIJING—A Chinese fact-finding mission will arrive Pakistan Monday to assess the reconstruction and rehabilitation requirements in the quake affected areas to extend further assistance. The mission will be led by a vice Minister of the Chinese Commerce Ministry. China, being a close friend of Pakistan, wished to actively participate in the humanitarian work in the quake-affected areas, said a senior official of the Department of International Cooperation, China Earthquake Administration. He told APP that China would also help Pakistan set up a modern seismic monitoring centre and provide latest equipments.” We also provide technical support for setting up a National Rescue and Disaster Management Authority to cope with such calamities,” he added.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Oct. 27 pledged that China would provide Pakistan with further relief aid worth $13.8 million after a meeting with his Pakistani counterpart Shaukat Aziz in Moscow. China also donated 500,000 US dollars to Pakistan at the United Nations donors conference in Geneva. This amount plus the 6.2-million-dollar aid which China had donated in the first week after the devastating earthquake, has made China's relief aid to Pakistan a total of 20.5 million dollars up to now. The total excludes the aid provided by the Chinese military and the red cross society.
According to the sources, China is prepared to provide further relief assistance. Besides the blankets and tents badly needed in the earthquake-affected areas, China has sent a second dispatch of rescue workers, mainly surgeons and nurses to set up field hospitals in those areas. The Chinese side made prompt decision to provide relief aid at the earliest time immediately after the earthquake," said Pakistan ambassador Salman Bashir. "This shows the deep feelings and emotions of the Chinese people towards their Pakistani brothers and sisters at this difficult time,” he added.
Aid to quake victims: A Chinese fact-finding mission will arrive Pakistan Tuesday to assess the reconstruction and rehabilitation requirements in the quake affected areas to extend further assistance. The mission will be led by an Assistant Minister of the Chinese Commerce Ministry. China, being a close friend of Pakistan, wished to actively participate in the humanitarian work in the quake-affected areas, said a senior official of the Department of International Cooperation, China Earthquake Administration.
He told APP that Chinese leadership and the people are ensuring flow of aid to the quake-victims. Relief goods will be airlifted to Pakistan on almost daily basis to meet emergency needs of the affected people. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao pledged further relief aid worth $13.8 million during his recent meeting with his Pakistani counterpart Shaukat Aziz in Moscow.
China also donated 500,000 US dollars to Pakistan at the United Nations donors conference in Geneva. This amount plus the 6.2-million-dollar aid which China had donated in the first week after the devastating earthquake, has made China’s relief aid to Pakistan a total of 20.5 million dollars up to now. The total excludes the aid provided by the Chinese military and the Red Cross society. The Chinese side made prompt decision to provide relief aid at the earliest time immediately after the earthquake,” said Pakistan ambassador Salman Bashir. “This shows the deep feelings and emotions of the Chinese people towards their Pakistani brothers and sisters at this difficult time,” he added.
Meanwhile, Chinese kids held a charity show here this afternoon, as a mark of solidarity with thousands of their same age-group who became victim of the devastated earthquake. They put on display their precious articles including toys on sale, collecting money to dispatch it to Pakistan through Red Cross Society of China.
The children sung solidarity songs, expressing their deep sympathies and love with the affected ones. They were also joined by students of Pakistan Embassy College Beijing. A number of photos, showing devastating impact on the lives of the children were also exhibited on the occasion. Ambassador Salman Bashir and his wife appreciated the children for taking lead, mobilizing assistance for the most innocent section of the society. This was anther manifestation of the Sino-Pak deep-rooted friendship, they added.