Maldivian Foreign Minister Fathulla Jameel met here Sunday with Wu Dawei,
Chinese vice minister of foreign affairs who is heading a Chinese official
delegation to review the aftermath of the tsunami and express the Chinese
government's condolence to the government and people of the Maldives.
On behalf of the Maldivian government, Jameel expressed thanks to the Chinese
government for providing aid to the Maldives after the country was hit by the
tsunami.
Jameel also briefed the Chinese delegation on the rescue and relief
operations being taken by the Maldivian government after the tsunami.
Wu said China is standing with the Maldivian government and theMaldivian
people in its efforts to rebuild the country after the tsunami. He said as a
developing country, China will provide aid to the Maldives within its own
capacity.
Wu also visited Maldives' National Disaster Management Center which was
established immediately after the tsunami to coordinate the country's rescue and
relief efforts. The Chinese delegation isscheduled to visit some severely
affected islands on Monday.
The Chinese official delegation, composed of five high-ranking officials from
different departments, arrived here on Saturday.
The tsunami which hit the island on Dec. 26 killed 82 people and displaced
more than 20,000 while 26 people are still missing.
The government placed the property loss to at least 1.3 billionUS dollars,
which is twice the country's annual gross domestic product.
