Remarks by Clark T. Randt, Jr.
Ambassador of the United States of America to China
Disaster Relief Donation Ceremony
Public Affairs Section, U.S. Embassy
Beijing, China

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen.

Thank you, secretary general Wang Haijing, Secretary General of the Red Cross Society of China for joining us here today.

As you are all aware, millions of Chinese citizens attempting to return home to be with their families for Chinese New Year celebrations have been caught in the biggest winter storm to strike southern China in fifty years.  What should be a time of joy and familial harmony has instead turned into a living nightmare of desperation and misery, as the extreme conditions resulted in chaos for the transportation network and massive power outages.  Millions of people have been cut-off from essential supplies. Hundreds of thousands of homes have been damaged or have collapsed altogether.

And the immediate forecast is for more snow.

When the people of the United States were afflicted by two natural disasters, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, China made a generous donation to assist those stricken by tragedy.  In times of need, friends reach out to help each other.  Accordingly, the United States Government is pleased to be able to offer assistance to the Chinese victims of the winter storms.

On the behalf of the American people and the Government of the United States of America, I want the people of China to know that we stand ready to extend a helping hand in this time of need.

In this regard, today, I am pleased to present this donation of $150,000 dollars to Mr. Wang Haijing, representing the Red Cross Society of China, to assist those in China who have suffered and are suffering as a result of these terrible winter storms.

This donation will be used to help purchase blankets, clothing and other necessities for the victims in order to help them through this ordeal.

My heartfelt sympathies to the people of China.  Our thoughts will be with you this Spring Festival.

Thank you.

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