Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR) Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai sent a letter of condolences today to Hu Changsheng, secretary of the Communist Party of China’s (CPC) Xizang Autonomous Region Committee, and Garma Cedain, chairman of the People's Government of the Xizang Autonomous Region, expressing his deep condolences over the 7.0-magnitude earthquake that struck Baqen County, Nagqu City, Xizang, causing significant casualties, the Macao Government Information Bureau (GCS) annunced in a statement this evening.
According to the statement, the full text of the letter is as follows:
"A 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck Baqen County, Nagqu City, Xizang, on the evening of October 22, causing heavy casualties and the collapse of houses. On behalf of the Government and all residents of the Macao Special Administrative Region, I wish to extend our deepest condolences to the compatriots affected by the disaster. We join you in mourning the victims and care deeply for all affected compatriots.
Macao and the Chinese mainland share the same roots and origin. Macao residents hold the disaster-affected area close to their hearts; blood is thicker than water. We stand ready to join hands with our mainland compatriots in facing this natural disaster, and we are willing to do our utmost to provide necessary support and actively assist in various rescue operations.
We believe that, under the leadership of the Central People’s Government, the Government of the Xizang Autonomous Region, along with officials and citizens in the disaster-affected area, will certainly work together with one accord to conduct disaster relief operations, properly resettle the affected residents, and tide over this difficult time.
Wishing the rescue operations smooth progress, we hope that the people in the disaster-affected area will resume their normal life and social order at an early date, and live in peace and security."
Editor's note: English translation from Chinese arranged and edited by The Macau Post Daily
Caption: Aerial drone photo showing emergency tents at an earthquake-hit village in Maru Township of Baqen County, Nagqu City, Xizang Autonomous Region, today. Sixteen people were killed and 76 others were injured after a 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck Baqen County at 10:33 p.m. yesterday. The Ministry of Emergency Management and regional authorities have mobilized resources for search and rescue operations. - Xinhua
