26 November 2004 – Acting Foreign Affairs Secretary Franklin M. Ebdalin today received on behalf of the Philippine Government a donation of PhP2.8M from the People’s Republic of China for the flood victims left in the wake of two tropical storms that hit the northern part of the country this week. The donation was handed to the Acting Secretary by Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines H.E. Wu Hongbo in simple turnover rites held at the Carlos P. Romulo Conference Room, DFA.

“The Philippine Government is most appreciative of this generous donation by the People’s Republic of China for the victims of Typhoons “Unding” and “Violeta”  which hit Luzon this week,” Acting Secretary Ebdalin said. “The affected families will be most grateful for this assistance from the Chinese Government and People.”

In a letter addressed to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Chinese President Hu Jintao said he was shocked to learn that Luzon was hit by tropical storms, which have inflicted heavy casualties and assets losses.  “On behalf of the Chinese Government and people as well as in my own name, I wish to express to Your Excellency, and through you to the Government and people of the Philippines, my most sincere sympathy for the relatives of the victims and my deep condolences to the victims,” President Hu said his letter to President Arroyo.   The Chinese President added that: “It is my belief that the people of the disaster-stricken areas of your country will be able to overcome the disaster and rebuild their homeland under the leadership of Your Excellency.”

Acting Secretary Ebdalin and Ambassador Wu signed the donation papers after which the Chinese Ambassador handed over the check for PHP2.8 million, which the Department will immediately turn over to the Office of the President. END
 
 

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