Ｉｎｔｅｒｎａｔｉｏｎａｌ　Ｆｒｉｅｎｄｓｈｉｐ　Ｏｒｇａｎｉｚａｔｉｏｎｓ　ａｎｄ　Ｐｅｒｓｏｎａｇｅｓ　Ｓｅｎｄ　Ｌｅｔｔｅｒｓ　ｏｆ　Ｓｙｍｐａｔｈｙ　ｔｏ　Ｐｅｏｐｌｅ　Ｉｎ　Ｅａｒｔｈｑｕａ

Ｇｅｎｇ　Ｚｉｆｅｎｇ

An earthquake measuring 8.0 on the Richter scale hit Wenchuan of Sichuan Province, China at 14:28 on May 12. In terms of its destructive intensity, areas affected and difficulty in rescue, it has been the biggest earthquake ever occurred in China since the founding of the Peoples Republic.

This unexpected natural disaster received full attention from the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council, and struck a sympathetic cord in the people of all ethnic groups of China as well as friendship organizations and personages of other countries the world over. Many friendship organizations and personages that have maintained close links with the CPAFFC sent letters of sympathy to the CPAFFC and through it to express their sympathy and solicitude to the people in the disaster areas.

Up to May 31, the CPAFFC has received 137 letters of sympathy from 74 countries and regions. Among them are friendship-with-China organizations engaged in people-to-people diplomacy, world-famous corporations, cultural and art organizations, old friends of the CPAFFC, ordinary farmers… These letters, full of concern and solicitude and filled with heart-warming and sincere words, have greatly inspired us and strengthened our resolve to restore production and rebuild our homeland.

Ikuo Hirayama, president of the Japan-China Friendship Association who attended the Conference on Sino-Japanese Friendly Exchanges in Sichuan in 2007, said in his letter that he was very much concerned with the life and safety of the people in Sichuan. He also mentioned the fact that after the earthquake struck, Premier Wen Jiabao immediately set out for the quake-ravaged areas and the spirit of Chinese people united as one to fight against the natural disaster is worthy of esteem.

A few hours after the earthquake, Jebali Ezzeddine, secretary general of the Association of Tunisia-China Friendship, sent a letter of sympathy to the CPAFFC to express their immediate support for the Chinese people in times of great difficulty. He was very concerned about the situation of the quake-hit areas and followed the development closely. He hoped that the loss caused by the disaster could be reduced to the minimum. He was confident that China has the ability to overcome the disaster.

In his letter, Peter Woods, secretary general of the Asia-Pacific Regional Section of United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG ASPAC), said: “On behalf of UCLG ASPAC and local authorities in the region, I am sure our many and divers members would like to express their sympathy with the communities affected, and offer their thoughts and prayers to those who suffer due to the earthquake.” He also expressed the confidence that the Chinese Government and people will be resolute in their actions to assist the affected population.

Karl-Heinz Gass, a German friend who has received the honorary title of Friendship Ambassador conferred by the CPAFFC, said in his letter, this unexpected earthquake has brought great misfortune to the people in Sichuan and to the whole of China. It has caused unpredictable damages and tremendous economic losses. The most urgent task at the moment is to take every measure to provide assistance to those innocent people fallen into great difficulty.

In his letter to the China-ROK Friendship Association President Luo Haocai, Park Sam-koo, president of Korea-China Friendship Association of the Republic of Korea, wrote, in the long history the Chinese people have gone through trials and tribulations and have always reemerged. He expressed the belief that this time they would surely win victory over the disaster and elevate themselves to a high level.

In the message signed by all the family members of the late Japanese friend Kinkazu Saionji, they expressed profound condolences for the victims died in the earthquake and sincere solicitude to the families and friends of the affected people. They said that the Chinese people have battled against countless difficulties up to now, overcome them and won independence, stability and prosperity of their motherland. They are convinced that through the test of earthquake the Chinese people will be more united. They wished from the bottom of their hearts that life in the quake-affected areas will return to normal at an early date and the Beijing Olympic Games will be a full success.

Alfred Bobson Sesay, chairman of the Sierra Leone-China Friendship Society, extended sympathy and solicitude to the Chinese people on behalf of the Executive, Management, Staff and membership of the Society. He wrote: “We particularly extend our deepest sorrow to the bereaved families as they mourn the untimely departure of their loved ones, and to those innocent and unsuspecting victims who met their death. We also pray that never will this happen again in the history of the Peoples Republic of China!”

Kozo Ito, chairman of the Board of Directors of the Japan Iskra Industry Company Ltd., said in his message to the China-Japan Friendship Association, “Though we live in Japan far from the earthquake-stricken areas, we still worry about the people in the quake-affected areas. To support the relief efforts, we have started full scale fund raising in various forms in Japan… What we have contributed to the relief efforts is limited and it is not enough to show our concern for the affected people. We are deeply honoured to be able to do our bit for the relief efforts.”

Bill Willmott, former national president of the New Zealand-China Friendship Society who was visiting China at the time, was just on his way to the airport in Guilin to take a flight to Chengdu on May 12 when the earthquake rocked Wenchuan. Therefore, he felt the tragedy all the more real and shocking. In his letter to the CPAFFC President Chen Haosu, he extended his gratitude to the CPAFFC for its quick and timely adjustment of his itinerary. He hoped to give his sincere solicitude to the people in the quake-stricken areas through the CPAFFC. At the same time, he was also inspired by the rapid and effective rescue and relief efforts by the Chinese Government and the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army.

In his letter to CPAFFC Vice President Li Xiaolin, Toshinobu Kawagoe, executive director of Japan Broadcasting Services, said: “Seeing scenes of the earthquake-ravaged villages, towns and cities on TV every day, I can not utter a word, feeling only sorrow and pain in my heart. Thirteen years ago (1995), we suffered the same grave damages caused by the Osaka-Kobe earthquake. Thus we know exactly how horrifying an earthquake can be and the pain brought by the disaster… Thinking of the difficulties and hardship then and severe suffering your people are experiencing now, I feel all the more heart breaking… I wish, from the bottom of my heart, full success of the Beijing Olympic Games and the Beijing Paralympics, which will give encouragement to the people in the earthquake-affected areas.”

These words of affection, sympathy and encouragement and best wishes show the profound friendly feelings the friendship organizations and personages cherish for the people in the quake-affected areas. We believe that with the care, support, solicitude and blessings of the people of the world we will achieve a total victory in our earthquake relief work.

Up to May 31, friendship organizations and personages in other countries that have sent message of sympathy to the CPAFFC include: Takashi Tsujii, president of the Japan-China Cultural Exchange Association; Francisco Ribes, president of the Valencia-China Friendship Association of Spain; Jesus Osuna Sanz, president of the Spain-China Friendship Association; Bayardo Arce, adviser to the Nicaraguan President and president of the Nicaraguan Association of Friendship with the Peoples Republic of China and Her People; Pierre-Claver Ndayiragije, president of the Sino-Burundian Friendship Association; Korn Dabbaransi, president of the Thai-Chinese Friendship Association; Jebali Ezzeddine, secretary general of the Massoud Daher, president of the Lebanese-Chinese League for Friendship and Cooperation; the Sinota Friendship Association of Tanzania; Mohammed Saeid Bekheitan, president of the Syria-China Friendship Association; Jacques Law-ye, Association des Commercants, Chefs dEntreprises et Cadres Chinois de la Reunion; Ikuo Hirayama, president of the Japan-China Friendship Association (JCFA); Akio Tanii, president of the Osaka Prefecture JCFA; Tetsuo Kando, president of the Tokyo Metropolitan JCFA; Mitsuyuki Nagao and Yoshitaka Tanaka, president and director general of the Japan-China Friendship Association (JCP); Shoichi Ide, president of the Nagano Prefecture JCFA; Fumio Ueda, mayor of Sapporo; Yuzan Fujita, governor of Hiroshima; Okitsugu Nieda, chairman of Tokokosen Corp. of Japan; S. Hadzic, secretary general of the Society of Friendship of the Peoples Republic of China and Republic of Montenegro; Alain Caporossi, secretary general of the Federation of French-Chinese Associations; Peter Woods, secretary general of the Asia-Pacific Regional Section of United Cities and Local Governments; Mikhail Titarenko, president of the Russia-China Friendship Association; N. Popov, president of the Federation for Bulgarian-Chinese Friendship; Alain Roy, secretary general of the Connaissance de la Chine Lausanne of Switzerland; Inaki Aguirre, secretary general for external action of Basque government of Spain; Kemal Baytas, president of the Turkey-China Friendship Association; Lee Si Young, chairman of Korean Cultural Exchange Foundation, Inc.; Tan Sri Law Hieng Ding, honorary life president of the Malaysia-China Friendship Association; Salim Sabah Sarai, president of the Iraq-China Friendship Association; Ahad Mohammadi, president of the Iran-China Friendship Society; Balraj Singh Shergill, president of Friends of China Association of India; Indrananda Abeysekera, president of the Association for Sri Lanka-China Social and Cultural Cooperation; Karim Deme, vice president of the Forum of Sino-Burkinan Friendship; Hideo Watanabe, member of the Japanese House of Councillors; Tetsuo Sakai, president of the Fukui Prefecture JCFA; Yoshio Nakadai, president of the Yotsu kaidoshi JCFA and all its members; the family of the late Japanese friend Kinkazu Saionji; Tatsumi Murakami, director general of the Japan-China Friendship Centre; Norihisa Satake, president of the Japan Association of City Mayors; Gian Franco Terenzi, president of San Marino-China Friendship Association; Manuel Colomina of the Supreme Council of Sports of Spain; the Austria- China Friendship Association; the Secours Populaire Francais; Elisabeth Gateau, secretary general of United Cities and Local Governments; Oscar Vega Lopez, president of the Bolivian Society of Friends of China; Ximena Barrientos, president of the Bolivia- China Chamber; Ninfa Marin, vice president of the Association of Venezuela-China Friendship; Leonard C. Johanns, president of the Suriname-China Friendship Association; Jorge Mondal Chew, president of Chinese-Guatemalan Chamber of Culture, Commerce and Industry; Mario Murillo, president of the House of Costa Rica-China Friendship; Natsagiin Jantsannorov and Menerliin Chimedtseye, president and secretary general of the Mongolia-China Friendship Association; Park Sam-koo, president of Korea-China Friendship Association and Kumho Asiana Group of the Republic of Korea; Mumtaz Hussain Shah, secretary general of the All Pakistan-China Friendship Association; Dr. Puneet Goyal, leader of Indian Doctors of the China-India Joint Medical Mission; S. A. Sikder, secretary general of Bangladesh China Peoples Friendship Association; Yao Bloua Agbo, president of the Association of Sino-Togolese Friendship; Dr. Bosaykham Vongdara, president of the Lao-Chinese Friendship Association; Kazuo Inamori, honorary president of Kyocera Corporation of Japan; Wataru Aso, president of the Japan National Governors Association; Japanese farmer Yoshikazu Nagahama; Maj. Gen. Mannuel Joaquim A. Maria Gonsalves, president of the League of Portugal-China Lasting Friendship; Edmond Pele, president of the Atlantic-China Association of the Federation of French-Chinese Associations (FFCA); Cesare Romiti, president of the Italy-China Foundation; Daniel Bedos, director of of the Spring of Comedians of France; Arlette Laramas, president of the Lyon-China Association of the FFCA; Jean-Claude Levy, special adviser to the representative for external action of local authorities of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of France; Bill Willmott, former president of the New Zealand-China Friendship Society; Oyden Ortega Duran, president of the Panamanian Association of Friendship with China; Jose Jacinto Barraza, president of Rosario Institute of Argentine-Chinese Friendship; Alfred Bobson Sesay, chairman of the Sierra Leone-China Friendship Society; the Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries and the Central Committee of the Korea-China Friendship Association of the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea; Jean Paul Neyer Anguile, secretary general of the Gabon-China Friendship Association; Lucien Rabarijohn, president of Madagascar-China Friendship Association; Kozo Ito, president of the Japan Iskra Industry Company Ltd.; Akira Shinoda, mayor of Niigata of Japan; Michihiro Kayama, president of the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations of Japan; S. Guliamov and Z. Abidov, chairman and vice chairman of the Council of Friendship Societies and Cultural-Enlightening Relations with Foreign Countries of Uzbekistan; Mrs. Ulla Bekel of the Beijing Office of Hanns-Seidel Foundation; P. Kreitzberg, chairman of Estonian-Chinese Union; V. Evlanov, mayor of Krasnodar of Russia; Seiichi Miyamoto of Noto Travel Centre of Japan; Jyo Okada of Sakamoto Juku of Japan; Peng H. Tow, treasurer of the National Council of the Australia-China Friendship Society; Atsushi Igarashi, honorary president of TonTon Art Cultural Society of Japan and all its members; the Foreign Affairs Office of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine; Tamara Yaron, secretary of the Council for the Promotion of Israel-China Relations; Alain Labat, president of the Federation of French-Chinese Associations; the Cultural and Industrial Centre of Champery of France; Gerald Beroud, secretary general of Vaud-Shaanxi Association of Switzerland; Milagro Camacho of World Citizen Foundation; Marcellus Widclef, president of the Association of Haitian-Chinese Friendship; Luddy Setiady, president of the Association for Indonesia-China Economic, Social and Cultural Cooperation (AICESCC), West Java and all the members of its Executive and Supervisory Committees; So Tho Hem Ming, president of the AICESCC, Baili and all the members of its Executive and Supervisory Committees; Hon. Absalom Sikosana, president of Zimbabwe-China Friendship Association; A. Maliev, president of the Union of Kyrgyz Societies for Friendship and Cooperation with Foreign Countries; Hans Uli Aman, former president of the Switzerland-China Association; Vasily I. Zhukov, first vice president of the Russia-China Friendship Association and rector of the Russian State Social University; Kjetil Krane, president of the Norway-China Association; A. Salihbaev, vice foreign minister of Uzbekistan; the Foreign Affairs Department of Community of Towns of Lille, France; Dr. Rainer Gepperth, deputy secretary general of Hanns-Seidel Foundation of Germany; Andrija Karafilipovic, president of Croatian-Chinese Friendship Society; Kadir Topbas, co-president of United Cities and Local Governments and mayor of Istanbul, Turkey; Organization of Latin American Intermediate Governments; Cali Branch of the Colombia-China Friendship Association; Mexican Association of Friendship with China; Nobuhiro Kume, President of NPO RBA International; Toshinobu Kawagoe, executive director of Japan Broadcasting Service for the Disabled Persons; Olafur Egilsson and Arnthor Helgason, chairman and vice chairman of the Icelandic-Chinese Cultural Society; Richard Frey, son of Austrian friend Dr. Richard Frey; Jacques Atlan, vice president of the General Council of Herault of France; Graciela Gomez de Moreno, executive director of the Association of Colombia-China Friendship Association;Mercosur Chamber of Commerce with China; the Jamaica-China Friendship Association; Danillo Santos, president of the Latin America and Caribbean Federation of Friendship with China; Mrs. Julie Brink, president of the Denmark-China Friendship Association; D. Tsakhilgaan, president of the Union for Peace and Friendship of Mongolia; TongMyong College of the Republic of Korea; Mrs. Louding Lammel-Rath, president of the German-Chinese Friendship Association Leipzig; Mrs. Barbara Harrison, former president of the US-China Peoples Friendship Association and recipient of the title of Friendship Ambassador; Eiichi Hisanaga, president of the Japan-China Sousyoku Association; Japanese friend Kimiko Tokunaga; Nanen Kitamuro, president of Hokushi Seal Cutting Society; Masashi Shingu, president of the Hokkaido Association of City Mayors; Yuji Miyamoto, Japanese ambassador to China; R. Bogatyreva and A. Trigubchak, president and vice president of the Ukraine-China Innovation Association; the delegation of the University of Regina, Canada; Constantin Lupeanu, president of the Romanian-Chinese Association for Cultural and Economic Exchanges; Jin Wen Lin, chairman of the Aus-China Interchange Inc. of Australia; Dr. Zdzislaw Goralczyk, president of the Poland-China Friendship Association; Francois Bognini, president of the Forum of Sino-Burkinan Friendship; Yoshiyasu Sato, acting president of the Japan-China Friendship Association and former Japanese ambassador to China; N. Ivanova, chairperson of the Presidium of Belarusian Society of Friendship and Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries; N. Mizina, secretary general of the Belarusian-Chinese Friendship Society; the Barbados Association of Friendship with China; Alicia Corredera, director general of the Department of Asia-Pacific Affairs of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples; Diogenes Martinez, president of the Paraguayan Association of Friends of the Peoples Republic of China.