China official thanks RP embassy for quake donation

MANILA, Philippines - A Chinese official has extended his country’s gratitude to the Philippine government for its contribution and assistance to the victims of the magnitude 7.9 earthquake that shook the Sichuan province on May 12, killing over 50,000 people. The expression of gratitude came after the Philippine ambassador to China, Sonia Cataumber Brady, informed Chinese Foreign Affairs Assistant Minister He Yafei that the embassy did not hold its annual Independence Day diplomatic reception this year. Instead, she said that the funds for reception were donated to the earthquake victims. The embassy's move came even as the Filipino community in Beijing organized a fund-raising event on June 15 to express its support for the people of Sichuan. “I am very touched by the gracious gesture to forego the diplomatic reception and to donate the funds to the victims of the Sichuan earthquake," He said. “The Philippine Embassy has set a very good example. We really appreciate it." He expressed China’s gratitude during the Philippine-China Friendship Dinner hosted by the Philippine embassy in Beijing on June 4 to celebrate the 110th anniversary of the declaration of Philippine independence and the 33rd anniversary of the establishment of Philippines-China diplomatic relations on June 9, 1975. He said that Philippine-China bilateral relations have witnessed tremendous progress in the last 33 years and will continue to prosper for the benefit, not only of the two countries, but also of the region. The Chinese minister also cited the deep and multi-faceted political and economic relations and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. During the dinner, the multi-awarded Philippine Madrigal Singers performed selected songs from a repertoire that has made them world famous. The following day, the “Madz" held a two-hour concert entitled “Songs for Sichuan" at the 21st Century Theater in Beijing as a tribute the victims of the Sichuan earthquake. The magnitude 7.9 quake almost entirely leveled parts of Sichuan Province, leaving the death toll at 50,000 and rendered nearly five million people homeless. The dinner was attended by other government officials from the Chinese Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Commerce and the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ), and some members of the Filipino community. “We hope that our ‘treasures’ – our friends, Chinese and Filipinos alike, will continue to play important roles in bringing Philippines-China bilateral relations to increasing levels of closeness -- relationship where political relations at all levels, are strong, where economic relations are solid and mutually beneficial, and where people-to-people relations are extensive," Brady said.- GMANews.TV