Wang Daohan, president of the Association for Relations across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS), Saturday expressed deep concern and condolences over the crash of a China Airlines flight with 225 people on board.

China Airlines flight CI611 from Taipei to Hong Kong crashed at about 3:30 pm shortly after taking off. Aboard the ill-fated Boeing 747 plane were 206 passengers and 19 crewmembers.

Wang showed deep concern over the air crash and extended condolences to the Taiwan compatriots killed in the accident and expressed deep sympathy to the victims' families.

In its letter to the Taiwan-based Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF), the ARATS said that it was shocked to learn the crash of the China Airlines flight, which had caused "enormous loss of life and property to Taiwan compatriots."

The ARATS asked the SEF to convey its deep condolences over the victims from Taiwan and sincere sympathy to their families.

The letter said that relevant departments on the mainland stand ready to provide assistance whenever the Taiwan side feels necessary.

The maritime rescue center under the Ministry of Communications has contacted Taiwan's rescue center to offer help whenever the Taiwan center has the need. The Taiwan-based center thanked the mainland center and said it would contact the mainland side timely when necessary.

The Red Cross Society of China also sent a message of sympathy to Taiwan's Red Cross organization.

It is learned that there were nine mainland passengers aboard the crashed plane. Relevant mainland departments are keeping contact with China Airlines and will provide help to families of the victims.

(Xinhua News Agency May 25, 2002)