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A Chinese governmental delegation left for Islamabad, capital of Pakistan, Monday to confer with the Pakistani government on the reconstruction of earthquake-hit Pakistan.
Led by Chen Jian, assistant Minister of Commerce, the delegation is composed of officials and experts from the ministries of Commerce, Foreign Affairs, Finance, Construction and Civil Affairs, China Seismological Bureau, Import and Export Bank of China, and China Academy of Building Research.
The Chinese government has paid much attention to reconstruction of the earthquake-hit area of Pakistan, which has suffered from grave damages to local infrastructure, said Chen at the Capital Airport.
The delegation will talk about the reconstruction work with the Pakistan government and hope that their assistance could help local people resolve some practical problems, he said.
Since the disaster occurred, the Chinese government has made a prompt and effective response and all walks of life from Chinese society, including corporations and individuals, have given their spontaneous assistance and donations to the Pakistan people, said Salman Bashir, ambassador of Pakistan.
The assistance is touching and the Pakistan government and people are very grateful, Bashir added.
A powerful earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter Scale jolted Pakistan at 11:50 AM on October 8 (Beijing Time). According to the Pakistani government, the death toll has risen to more than 50,000.
According to Chen, the first assistance, valued at US$6.2 million has been put into effect and another aid package of 50 million yuan (about US$6.2 million) is underway.
From Monday to Wednesday, another four airplanes will send more assistance and relief materials to the Pakistan people, said Chen.
After the delegation leaves, experts in anti-earthquake, disaster prevention and construction will remain in Pakistan to address technical details in reconstruction projects China has participated in.
(Xinhua News Agency November 1, 2005)
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