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Chinese Mission Book of condolence opens
2008-05-19 00:00

At 14:28 on May 12th, a powerful earthquake measuring at 8.0 Richter scale struck Wenchuan area in China's Sichuan Province, causing tremendous loss of lives and property. As of 14:00, 18th May (Beijing time), the earthquake already claimed 32, 477 lives and 220, 109 injuries. The area with extremely serious devastation exceeds 100, 000 square kilometres. At present, the Chinese Government and people are proceeding with rescue and relief operations in a forceful, orderly and effective way. More than 110, 000 personnel from the People's Liberation Army and the People's Armed Police of China are working strenuously and courageously in the disaster area. As the gravity of devastation, the number of deaths and injuries and the difficulty of rescue operations are rarely seen in history, post-earthquake rescue and relief work is facing a grim situation. Yet the Chinese Government is confident that with unity, hard work of the Chinese people and support from the international community, China shall overcome the current difficulty and the affected population shall rebuild their homes even better. The Chinese Government appreciates the sympathy, solidarity and assistance offered by the latter and would like to notify the following:

The State Council of China declared the 19th, 20th and 21st of May, 2008 as Days for National Mourning in expression of the deep condolences of people of all ethnic groups in China towards their fellow citizens deceased in the powerful earthquake in Wenchuan, Sichuan Province.

During this period, the Mission of the People's Republic of China to the European Communities is to open a Book of Condolence for signing. The hours for paying condolences are from 9:30 to 11:30 and from 14:00 to 17: 00 on the 19th, 20th and 21st of May at BOULEVARD WOLUWE 100, 1200 BRUSSELS. For further information, please contact the email as follows: chinamission_eu@mfa.gov.cn

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