Maldivian Foreign Minister Fathulla Jameel met in Male Sunday with Wu Dawei, Chinese vice minister of foreign affairs who is heading a Chinese official delegation to review the aftermath of the tsunami and express the Chinese government's condolence to the government and people of the Maldives.

On behalf of the Maldivian government, Jameel expressed thanks to the Chinese government for providing aid to the Maldives after the country was hit by the tsunami.

Jameel also briefed the Chinese delegation on the rescue and relief operations being taken by the Maldivian government after the tsunami.

Wu said China is standing with the Maldivian government and the Maldivian people in its efforts to rebuild the country after the tsunami. He said as a developing country, China will provide aid to the Maldives within its own capacity.

Wu also visited Maldives' National Disaster Management Center which was established immediately after the tsunami to coordinate the country's rescue and relief efforts. The Chinese delegation is scheduled to visit some severely affected islands on Monday.

The Chinese official delegation, composed of five high-ranking officials from different departments, arrived in Male on Saturday.

The tsunami which hit the island on Dec. 26 killed 82 people and displaced more than 20,000 while 26 people are still missing.

The government placed the property loss to at least US$1.3 billion, which is twice the country's annual gross domestic product.

(Xinhua News Agency January 10, 2005)