China has announced a concessional loan of US$300 million to
fund reconstruction and rehabilitation plans in earthquake-hit
areas of Pakistan.
Chinese Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Wu Dawei made the
announcement in a speech on behalf of the Chinese government and
the Chinese people at the international donors' conference held in
the Pakistani capital of Islamabad on Saturday.
He said that the concessional load would fund the repair of
Karakoram Highway, the provision of health and educational
facilities in Balakot of the North West Frontier Province, and the
establishment of a network of seismic stations throughout
Pakistan.
Last Tuesday, before leaving Balakot, the China International
Search and Rescue (CISAR) donated its medical facilities worth
US$60,000 to the local authorities, according to Wu, the head of
the Chinese governmental delegation to the international donors'
conference.
(Xinhua News Agency November 20, 2005)
