U.S. Assistance Welcomed in Quake-Hit Region

BEIJING, July 2 (Xinhua) — Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Wednesday welcomed the U.S. assistance to China’s reconstruction work in the quake-hit region.

　Wen made the welcome remarks in a meeting with a joint delegation of the U.S. government, business and rescue organizations, headed by Administrator of the Agency for International Development (USAID) Henrietta Fore and Johnson & Johnson CEO William C. Weldon. The delegation visited the Yingxiu town from June 29 to July 2, one of the areas worst hit by the May 12 earthquake, to prepare for assistance work.

　Wen welcomed the delegation to visit the quake-hit region and do research on participating in China’s reconstruction efforts. Wen said China is a making nationwide effort to help people in the quake zone to rebuild their homes and welcomes the support from all circles of the international community, including the assistance of manpower, funds and materials. It is the first time for the U.S. government to jointly coordinate business and rescue organization with China. Wen said this indicates the friendship between the two peoples, which would help deepen mutual understanding and push toward the growth of China-U.S. relations.

Fore extended the sympathy from the U.S. government to the Chinese people in the quake-hit region. Fore said the delegation obtained a comprehensive understanding of the situation in the quake-hit region through this visit, and was touched by the Chinese people’s spirit of courage and confidence. China’s response after the disaster happened “set a model for the world,” she noted, saying that the United States was ready to offer help.