Int´l communities support China´s disaster relief

WATCH VIDEO

Source: CCTV.com | 02-05-2008 14:16

The international community and overseas Chinese have all been very concerned about China's battle with the severe winter weather. As the Lunar New Year approaches, people from all over the world are conveying their best wishes to those affected by the natural disaster.

Donation campaigns have been launched, among Chinese communities, in countries such as Thailand, Russia and Brazil.

On behalf of his government, the US ambassador to China donated 150,000 US dollars for the country's stricken areas.

US ambassador to China Clark T. Randt said, "When people of the U.S. were afflicted by natural disasters, Chinese offer assistance we stand ready to extend a helping hand."

According to the latest statistics of the Red Cross of China, 19 of China's provincial level regions have been hit by the snowstorm, causing a direct economic loss of over 80-billion yuan. The disaster has left over 80 people dead and destroyed 90 million hectares of land.

The snowstorm has lasted for over 20 days. And many overseas Chinese are following the situation closely.

Xu Chili, an overseas Chinese residing in Belgium, said, "We saw both Premier Wen Jiabao and President Hu Jintao's efforts to relieve the disaster. And we are mobilizing Chinese communities all over Belgium to donate and do whatever we can to support the relief."

Donation campaigns have also been launched, among Chinese communities, in countries such as Thailand, Russia and Brazil.

An overseas Chinese in Brazil said, "We hope to contribute to relief efforts back in those disaster-hit regions. We hope all sectors and regular daily life will return to normal as soon as possible. We'd like to wish our compatriots a Happy Spring Festival."

According to the Red Cross of China, the situation in the afflicted regions, especially those cut off by water and electricity, remains serious. Food, medicine, and basic essentials to fend of the cold are all urgently required.

Editor:Zhang Ning