【正确答案】I have come to this meeting with a heavy heart. Within just a few hours' time, the powerful earthquake in the Indian Ocean and the ensuing tsunami killed more than 100,000 people and left behind a trail of carnage and destruction. It is not just a catastrophe to the afflicted countries. It is a catastrophe to the entire mankind. Every single Chinese citizen is deeply concerned. Now, on behalf of the Chinese Government and 1.3 billion Chinese people, I wish to express once again our deepest sympathy for the countries and people stricken by the disaster. //
China is a country that is frequently stricken by natural disasters. We know how much pain they can bring and what genuine friendship means in times of tribulations. After the disaster struck, the Chinese Government has launched its largest foreign relief operations to date. Apart from the initial contribution of 21.63 million yuan, the Chinese Government has pledged an additional 500 million yuan for the stricken countries. Chinese medical and relief teams are already on the ground, up and running. Several batches of Chinese supplies have arrived in the hardest hit countries. //
The assistance we have provided to the best of our capacity is selfless. It shows an outpouring of care and friendship on the part of the Chinese people and the sincerity of the Chinese Government to take an active part in disaster relief and reconstruction. We will follow closely the situation on the ground. We have sent working groups on disaster study and assessment to the stricken countries and will provide additional aid of various kinds in keeping with their actual needs. The Chinese always mean what they say. Whatever promise we make will be honored. It was true, is true and will always remain true. //
Disaster relief in these countries is enormous and hard and the post-disaster reconstruction will be an even tougher job to undertake. All this calls for vigorous support and assistance from the international community. This Special Leaders' Meeting initiated by ASEAN is both necessary and timely, as it can make a major impact on the relief and reconstruction work by improving coordination and combining the resources of the afflicted countries, other countries in the region and the international community at large. China is ready to contribute its share to this effort. //