China's aid to flooded Pakistan enhances bilateral friendship
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The helping hand from China was highly acclaimed by the Pakistani government and military as well as local residents. A string of senior figures, including Tariq Majid, then chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, visited Chinese aid workers and lauded their selfless and efficient efforts.
The team's timely help "reflects the strong friendship between Pakistan and China," Majid said during a visit to a mobile hospital. "At difficult times, the two countries always stand together."
Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari said several times that Pakistan appreciated China's aid to the flood-affected people this summer, adding China had always been concerned and focused on helping Pakistan through difficult times in a constructive manner. He hoped China would help rebuild infrastructure in the flood-ravaged areas.
On the other hand, when one hydropower station project sponsored by a Chinese company was hit by floodwaters in late July and over 200 Chinese workers were stranded on a mountain in northwest Pakistan, the Pakistani government, army, police and local residents did their best to help rescue them.
Liu Jian, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, said the rescue operation reflected the brotherly friendship between Pakistani and Chinese people.
At present, the first phase of emergency aid is coming to an end in Pakistan and reconstruction is being gradually launched. According to reports, it will take two to three years for Pakistan to recover from the floods.
A Chinese delegation comprising officials from various government departments visited the flood-ravaged areas in northwest Pakistan in early November, and provided assurances the country would support rehabilitation of the flood-affected people.
China would continue to support Pakistan's post-disaster reconstruction, especially in agriculture and transport infrastructure, officials in Beijing said Monday.
China and Pakistan are neighbors with a traditional friendship. The two help each other in times of difficulty. Pakistan immediately provided aid when an earthquake struck Yushu County in northwest China's Qinghai Province in April.
China has also been giving assistance to Pakistan for a long time. After a disastrous earthquake hit Pakistan in 2005, China offered huge aid to its neighbor. Now some Chinese companies are helping build shopping malls, libraries and hydropower stations in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-controlled Kashmir, which suffered seriously in the disaster.
Analysts say the pragmatic cooperation between the two countries will be expanded during the reconstruction and Pakistan will get tangible benefits from it.
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