China will continue to play an active role in the
coordinated and harmonious international aids to the rehabilitation and
reconstruction of the tsunami-affected countries, an official said Friday
in Manila.
The pledge
was made by the Chinese delegation at the Asian Development Bank
(ADB)-hosted High-level Coordination Meeting on Rehabilitation and
Reconstruction Assistance to Tsunami-affected Countries.
Ju Kuilin,
deputy director-general of the International Department of the Ministry of
Finance, told Xinhua that as international aids are being poured into the
tsunami-hit countries, the urgent need has been recognized to enhance
coordination and utilization of the donated resources in the
rehabilitation and reconstruction.
"As we
move from the disaster relief stage to reconstruction, which by nature is
a medium to long-term exercise, more concerted efforts in the affected
countries and by the international community at large are needed," he
said.
The
Chinese government supports the leading role of the United Nations in
coordinating the international relief, especially in mobilizing more
humanitarian and financial support for the tsunami-stricken countries, Ju
noted.
Apart from
the UN, the multi-development banks are also expected to play bigger roles
with their financial and human resources strength, he added.
As the
third biggest shareholder of the ADB, China appreciated the region's bank
for its swift action to set up the Asian Tsunami Fund using its surplus
and net income, and will do its due part to support this effort, Ju
said.
According
to the Ministry of Finance, by the end of January, China had delivered to
the tsunami-affected countries emergency grants and aid materials worth
over US$30 million, accounting for 51 percent of its pledged
contribution.
Apart from
that, the Chinese government has also sent close to 150 medical and relief
workers to Thailand, Sri Lanka and Indonesia, and assessment teams to
Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Maldives.
China has
also pledged to launch information-sharing program with the countries,
including digital earthquake monitoring network and technology platform
for the earthquake and tsunami early warning system, he added.
Indonesian
Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Alwi Shihab, who heads the
country's delegation to the conference, said that his country appreciated
the helpful and meaningful aids from China, especially in the school
building and healthcare service.
"We would
like to convey our gratitude to the Chinese government and people for
their prompt response to the tsunami disaster in Indonesia," he
said.
On the
future aids China would offer to the tsunami-hit countries, the Chinese
official said that besides more donation to be contributed, the country
would mobilize and encourage the private sectors to participate in the
relief activities through reconstruction projects and material
purchasing.
"As a
developing country in the region, China is rich in experience and human
resources in the reconstruction, which can be shared with the tsunami-hit
countries with the similar developing level with China," he
said.
(Xinhua
News Agency March 19, 2005)