Ｓｐｅｅｃｈ　ｂｙ　Ｐｒｅｓｉｄｅｎｔ　Ｃｈｅｎ　Ｈａｏｓｕ　ａｔ　Ｃｅｒｅｍｏｎｙ　Ｈｅｌｄ　ｂｙ　ＣＰＡＦＦＣ　ｏｎ　ｔｈｅ　Ｎａｔｉｏｎａｌ　Ｍｏｕｒｎｉｎｇ　Ｄａｙ

May 19, 2008

Comrades,

A week has passed since the grave Wenchuan earthquake of magnitude 8. Today on the first of the three days of national mourning, together with all the Chinese people, we are mourning for the more than 30,000 victims of the earthquake, and expressing our sincere sympathy and solicitude for our more than 200,000 wounded compatriots, and pay our highest respect to the officers and men of the PLA, the armed police and medical and health staff who are still working courageously on the frontline of disaster relief, as well as people of all walks of life of our country who have made persevering efforts to fight against the disaster.

The sudden earthquake adds a new catastrophe to the list of miseries the Chinese people has suffered. It gave all of us a shock, but instead of shaking our determination of marching on, it gives us a lesson and encourages us like a baptism which makes us more mature and determined. Under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Hu Jintao as general secretary, the entire Communist Party of China, the whole armed forces and all the Chinese people calmly face the disaster and carry out disaster relief quickly and orderly. The entire country is united as one with a common iron will to win victory over the disaster, demonstrating to the world the firm, indomitable and heroic spirit of our people. The unity of the Chinese people can conquer all the difficulties and obstacles in our way of progress. We are making wonderful achievements that move the world and feel proud for being sons and daughters of the Chinese nation. Under the leadership of the CPC and the Government, we will stand together with all our people facing various tribulations and striving for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the great success of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics!

Since the disaster, the Chinese people have received sympathy and support from people of all countries in the world, which reminds us that the Chinese people are not alone in our just cause. The people of China and other countries in the world are supporting each other; the prospect of common development is most bright. We are grateful to our friends of all countries who have given us valuable help when the disaster falls upon us. We believe this great spirit of solidarity and friendship that transcends various differences and divergence will be powerful enough to push us forward in steady steps towards a bright future.

The Chinese Peoples Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, as a people-to-people diplomatic organization, has been working hard ever since its establishment to realize the great solidarity of people of the world, enhance peoples friendship and safeguard world peace. We will stick to our glorious mission and our aims, and unite with all people of China and the whole world to strive unremittingly for a better future of China and the world until the day of final victory!