China will continue to play an active role in the coordinated
and harmonious international aids to the rehabilitation and
reconstruction of the tsunami-affected countries, an official said
Friday in Manila.?
The pledge was made by the Chinese delegation at the Asian
Development Bank (ADB)-hosted High-level Coordination Meeting on
Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Assistance to Tsunami-affected
Countries.
Ju Kuilin, deputy director-general of the International
Department of the Ministry of Finance, told Xinhua that as
international aids are being poured into the tsunami-hit countries,
the urgent need has been recognized to enhance coordination and
utilization of the donated resources in the rehabilitation and
reconstruction.
"As we move from the disaster relief stage to reconstruction,
which by nature is a medium to long-term exercise, more concerted
efforts in the affected countries and by the international
community at large are needed," he said.
The Chinese government supports the leading role of the United
Nations in coordinating the international relief, especially in
mobilizing more humanitarian and financial support for the
tsunami-stricken countries, Ju noted.
Apart from the UN, the multi-development banks are also expected
to play bigger roles with their financial and human resources
strength, he added.
As the third biggest shareholder of the ADB, China appreciated
the region's bank for its swift action to set up the Asian Tsunami
Fund using its surplus and net income, and will do its due part to
support this effort, Ju said.
According to the Ministry of Finance, by the end of January,
China had delivered to the tsunami-affected countries emergency
grants and aid materials worth over US$30 million, accounting for
51 percent of its pledged contribution.
Apart from that, the Chinese government has also sent close to
150 medical and relief workers to Thailand, Sri Lanka and
Indonesia, and assessment teams to Indonesia, Sri Lanka and
Maldives.
China has also pledged to launch information-sharing program
with the countries, including digital earthquake monitoring network
and technology platform for the earthquake and tsunami early
warning system, he added.
Indonesian Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Alwi
Shihab, who heads the country's delegation to the conference, said
that his country appreciated the helpful and meaningful aids from
China, especially in the school building and healthcare
service.
"We would like to convey our gratitude to the Chinese government
and people for their prompt response to the tsunami disaster in
Indonesia," he said.
On the future aids China would offer to the tsunami-hit
countries, the Chinese official said that besides more donation to
be contributed, the country would mobilize and encourage the
private sectors to participate in the relief activities through
reconstruction projects and material purchasing.
"As a developing country in the region, China is rich in
experience and human resources in the reconstruction, which can be
shared with the tsunami-hit countries with the similar developing
level with China," he said.
(Xinhua News Agency March 19, 2005)