Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai has sent a letter to the authorities of the Xizang Autonomous Region* expressing his profound sorrow regarding those affected by the earthquake that occurred in the Himalayan city of Xigaze, Dingri county, on Tuesday morning.
The Macau Government Information Bureau (GCS) issued a statement on the letter on Tuesday.
In the letter sent on Tuesday to the Secretary of the Xizang Autonomous Regional Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Wang Junzheng, and the region’s acting chairman, Karma Tsedan, Sam noted the 6.8-magnitude earthquake had caused serious casualties among local people and property damage.
On behalf of the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR) Government and all Macau residents, Sam said he is solemnly mourning for those who perished in the catastrophe and expressed his deepest condolences to their bereaved families, along with Macau’s thoughts for those injured in the disaster.
In response to the deadly temblor, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and president of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), stressed on Tuesday that he attached great importance to the matter and issued crucial directives, the GCS statement underlined adding that Premier Li Qiang has given relevant instructions, while Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing has led a team to the affected area to guide the rescue operations. The Xizang Autonomous Region has mobilised all-out relief efforts, the statement underlined.
Under the leadership of the Central People’s Government, based on the unity and cooperation of local officials and members of the public, the affected areas will be able to overcome this adversity, Sam said in the letter.
The people of Macau are paying close attention to the situation in the disaster area, and are willing to work together with their compatriots in the mainland to help those affected overcome this natural disaster, offering the necessary support to back all rescue operations, Sam added.
The chief executive expressed his best wishes for the smooth progress of the rescue efforts, and said he hoped that the lives of the people in the affected area will soon return to normal. (More on page 7)
*Formerly known as Tibet Autonomous Region
Rescuers assemble beds for quake-affected residents at a resettlement site in a village in Dingri County in Xigaze City, Xizang Autonomous Region, yesterday. – Xinhua
