By ZAFAR HUSSAIN

 

BEIJING, Sept. 26 (China Economic Net) - As Pakistan is suffering from one of the worst natural calamities in the shape of ongoing rain-floods, Chinese people, enterprises, and associations from across China donated RMB 125 million worth of cash and goods to Pakistan on Sunday to help the victims of the floods.

 

A donation ceremony titled "Chinese People for Pakistani Brothers and Sisters" was held on Sunday at the headquarter of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), where a large number of Chinese officials, enterprises, and people participated to show their solidarity with the people of Pakistan.

 

 

Addressing the ceremony, Pakistan's ambassador to China Moin ul Haque said that this donation indeed is very generous and timely and would be immensely helpful in reinforcing Pakistan’s ongoing flood relief efforts.

 

“I am always impressed by the enthusiasm and energy of these two distinguished diplomats for deepening the Pakistan-China Friendship. We also want to deepen cooperation with China on enhancing our capability for mitigation of climate change and disaster management, especially in the areas of climate resilience, early warning system, disaster-resistant construction, energy transition, etc.”, Ambassador Moin ul Haque added.

 

He further said that it is difficult to capture the scale of destruction caused by this climate-induced disaster. To date, 1500 people have died including over 340 children; 1700 were injured and over 33 million people were affected and displaced.

 

"As Iron Brothers and the most reliable partners, Pakistan and China have always stood together in all perils and predicaments and extended utmost support to each other. Our bilateral cooperation after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and now for flood relief efforts have demonstrated the uniqueness and strength of our iron brotherhood and time-tested friendship", he stated.

 

Ambassador told the audience that as per initial estimates, the ongoing floods have caused a loss of USD 30 billion to Pakistan’s economy. He added that Pakistan looks forward to Chinese support and financing for the rehabilitation of the Pakistani people, infrastructure development and rebuilding of the battered economy.

 

Lin Songtian, President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, said that CPAFFC has raised 10,372,400 yuan and supplies worth 114 million yuan, totaling 125 million yuan, from 15 provinces and cities (including 18 provinces or cities that have sister-city relationships with Pakistan), 24 friendship organizations, 13 enterprises, and hundreds of caring individuals.

 

 

Ambassador Sha Zukang, President of China-Pakistan Friendship Association, Li Xikui, President of China Friendship Foundation for Peace and Development, Vice President of CPAFFC, and other dignities from both countries attended the ceremony.