Remarks by Ambassador Li Baodong, Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations, at International Donors'Conference Towards a New Future for Haiti |
2010-03-31 23:12 |
Mr. and Madam Co-chairs, The Chinese delegation thanks the United Nations and the co-hosting this conference. We would like to take this opportunity to extend our welcome to His Excellency President René Préval, and through him, convey the deepest sympathy and condolences of the Chinese government and people to the people of Haiti.On behalf of the Chinese government and people, I also wish to once again pay our highest tribute to the UN staff members and peacekeepers who lost their lives in the line of duty during the earthquake. Mr. and Madam Co-chairs, The earthquake that struck ever experienced by the Haitian people over the past two centuries. It has also become a humanitarian and development crisis over which the international community shares its common concern. challenges in economic and social development as well as post-disaster reconstruction, and is therefore in urgent need of assistance from the international community. It is heartening however that, thanks to the effective coordination of the United Nations, the parties concerned have come together to lend a helping hand to the Haitian people and government. The UN organs and agencies have provided timely and effective humanitarian assistance to the quake areas, and played an important leadership role, which has won wide acclaim from the international community. The Chinese government supports the United Nations in playing a central coordination role in post-disaster reconstruction in the United Nations should continue to adhere to the principles of neutrality and gratuitousness in providing development assistance, and give play to its unique advantages in knowledge, technology, institutions and enforcement capacity. post-disaster reconstruction must be transparent, inclusive, and ensure the early transition from reconstruction to economic development led by the Haitian government and people. Mr. and Madam Co-chairs, When a mega earthquake hit Wenchuan, China in May 2008,the international community immediately lent its support to Chinese people, who under the strong leadership of the Chinese government, soon overcame the serious crisis brought about by the natural disaster. Despite the geographical distance between two countries have no diplomatic relations, the Chinese people feel strong about the sufferings of the Haitian people and the Chinese government has provided timely emergency assistance in various forms to Haiti.immediately after the quake, the Chinese government sent an international rescue team to search and rescue efforts, and later on sent a medical care and epidemic prevention team to the country. in cash and in kind through the UN flash appeals, the CERF, and bilateral Channels. I hereby announce that the Chinese government has decided to provide an additional 10 million yuan (about 1.47 million US dollars) of aid gratis to offer emergency supplies for post-disaster reconstruction. responsible for shipment of the supplies to Port-au-Prince.The competent departments of the Chinese government will determine the details of the supplies with their Haitian counterparts and carry out the shipment as soon as possible· Thank you, Mr. and Madam Co-chairs. |