BEIJING: Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson said that Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s comments on China’s assistance to Pakistan for flood relief efforts attested to mutual trust and friendship between two countries. FM Bhutto’s comments attest to mutual trust and friendship between our two countries, Mao Ning said in response to a question during her regular briefing.

According to reports, Foreign Minister Bhutto took an interview with Foreign Policy. In response to comment that China had not come to Pakistan’s aid in a big way this year when flood hit, he said it was absolutely incorrect.

Spokesperson said that China and Pakistan were linked by mountain and rivers and both countries shared same future. From major floods in 2010 in Pak, 2021 locust disaster, Wenchuan earthquake 2008, Luding earthquake, two countries have always stood together in dealing with natural disasters and in overcoming economic and financial difficulties, she added. Mao Ning said that China had always been among first to help. Since flood hit Pak this time, China had acted promptly to offer strong assistance.

Chinese government has decided to provide 400 million RMB of humanitarian assistance to Pakistan. We lost no time in bringing together all reserve supplies under China Pakistan Economic Corridor social welfare cooperation framework, she added. To help Pakistan, she said that China offered emergency cash assistance and shared real time weather forecast with it. By air, land and sea, we sent tents, vegetables and other supplies to Pakistan.

Mao Ning said that that Chinese government and entire society worked together to help. Chinese enterprises and charitable people and sub-national organisations and governments raised more than 125 million RMB donation and supplies to help Pakistan and civil rescue teams also went to Pakistan to help. Even primary school students donated their pocket money to help.

We stand ready to further enhance our cooperation, deepen our iron-clad friendship, she added. Mao Ning believed that Pakistani government and people would prevail over disaster and rebuild their homes soon.

Published in The Daily National Courier, October, 01 2022

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