Ambassador Xiao Jianguo's Speech at the Ceremony of Donation of Disaster Relief Supplies to Timor-Leste
2021-05-29 21:44
 

Your Excellency Madam Isabel, the spouse of Prime Minister and the Legal Adviser of the State Secretariat for Civil Protection,

Mr. Babo, Director-general of the State Secretariat for Civil Protection,

Ladies and gentlemen, friends:

Good afternoon!

Welcome to attend today's donation ceremony. Today, the Chinese Embassy is going to donate 3000 blankets and 10000 pieces of herb soaps to help victims affected by the floods to improve their living and sanitary conditions. First, I would like to express my thanks to Her Excellency Madam Isabel and Mr. Babo to grace the ceremony. I also want to thank all relevant departments of Timor-Leste for their coordinated efforts for the success of this chartered flight. Acting as part of China's emergency response to the Timorese worst flood disaster in 50 years which happened in early April this year, the relief supplies were successful delivered by the chartered flight today due to the unremitting efforts under the embassy and relevant Timorese departments alike. I hope today's donated items could be immediately dispatched to the people in need affected by the floods.

The devastating floods and landslides on April 4, 2021 have inflicted huge losses of life and property to Timor-Leste. From the very beginning, Chinese government has paid close attention to the disaster situation in Timor-Leste. State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi sent a message of solidarity to his Timorese counterpart, expressing condolences to the death and sympathy to their families. The Red Cross Society of China provided US$100,000 in cash for humanitarian emergency assistance. The Chinese government provided US$100,000 through the World Food Program for the transport and logistics support in the disaster relief. The Embassy Staffs, Overseas Chinese communities, Chinese Entrepreneur's Association in Timor-Leste actively donated money and items, which amounts to US$100,000. The cooking trucks (moving kitchens) previously donated by China played an important role in the disaster relief, the displaced could be treated with hot meals and are most welcome. When difficulties arise in one place, aid comes from everywhere. We're glad to see that with the joint efforts of the Timorese government and the international community, Timor-Leste has made great effort and progressed a lot in rebuilding its beautiful homeland and most of those affected by the disaster have resumed normal life. Looking into the future, to consolidate the progress of recovery and reconstruction, China would like to continue to contribute its part to its ability. For example, in short to mid-term, the Embassy is considering to establish a trilateral cooperation program together with WFP and Timorese government to provide nutritious food to the Timorese vulnerable groups such as pregnant women and stunted kids. And the Chinese enterprises and companies are also ready to join the post-disaster reconstruction projects at any time.

Recently, the COVID-19 epidemic in Timor-Leste remains serious and the number of confirmed cases continues to increase. In order to assist Timor-Leste to effectively respond to the epidemic, and to protect Timorese people, upon the request of Timorese side, China has decided to donate 100,000 doses of Chinese Sinovac vaccines, disregarding its stretched domestic vaccine supply. This batch of vaccines is expected to arrive in Timor-Leste soon. In addition, China is also raising another batch of medical supplies, which will arrive in Dili in a near future. As Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated in his Congratulatory Letter to President Lú Olo on the occasion of 19th anniversary of Timor-Leste's restoration of independence a few days ago, China follows and concerns the COVID-19 epidemic in Timor-Leste and is always ready to provide assistance to its ability.

"Though we're separated by mountains and seas, we enjoy the same moonlight under the same sky." The epidemic may hinder face-to-face communication, but it cannot interrupt the enduring friendship between Timor-Leste and China. China is willing to work with Timor-Leste to carry forward the traditional friendship between the two countries, to carry out President Xi Jinping's concept of a community with a shared future for mankind, to deepen the joint construction of the "Belt and Road" in high-quality level and the practical cooperation in various fields, so as to bring more benefit to Timor-Leste and its people, and to push the bilateral ties into a new height.

Thank you all.

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