CHINESE GRATEFUL FOR U.S. EARTHQUAKE ASSISTANCE

C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIJING 001970 SIPDIS E.O. 12598: DECL: 05/21/2013 TAGS: PREL CH SUBJECT: CHINESE GRATEFUL FOR U.S. EARTHQUAKE ASSISTANCE Classified by Ambassador Clark T. Randt, Jr. Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Th Ambassador spoke to Chinese Assistant Ministerof Foreign Affairs Liu Jieyi May 21. AFM Liu provided official thanks from the Chinese Government and people to President Bush, the First Lady, Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs Hadley and NSC Senior Director Wilder for visiting the Chinese Embassy and signing the condolence book for victims of the Sichuan earthquake. AFM Liu said China also extends its thanks to President Bush for his expressions of sympathy and condolence, and for his statement that the United States stands ready to help in any way that the Chinese Government would like. ¶2. (C) President Bush's visit to the Chinese Embassy has been noted and very much appreciated by the Chinese people, AFM Liu continued. The Chinese people also appreciate the assistance in cash and kind the United States has provided to the disaster relief effort in the Sichuan earthquake area. ¶3. (C) The focus of operations on the ground in the earthquake area has shifted to tending to the wounded and locating temporary shelter for the homeless, AFM Liu reported. The Chinese Government has passed the most recent list of requirements to the Embassy. AFM Liu also thanked the United States for the next planeload of relief equipment and materials scheduled to arrive in Chengdu on Thursday, May 22. ¶4. (C) AFM Liu was effusive in his thanks, stressing that the assistance from the United States has made a deep impression on the Chinese people. RANDT