Three Chinese investigative teams have been sent to Sri Lanka, the
Maldives, Indonesia and Thailand to help with reconstruction efforts in the wake
of the tsunami disaster.
"One was sent to Sri Lanka and the Maldives on Monday," said the Ministry of
Commerce. "The other two are expected to leave for Indonesia and Thailand
respectively in recent days."
The teams, composed of officials from the ministry, experts from research
institutions and technical staff from large building companies, will help South
Asian countries restore their transport systems, electricity supply,
communications and hospitals.
They will carry out investigations on the damages of the infrastructure,
learn about the demands of local citizens, and help local governments work out
re-construction programmes.
Minister of Commerce Bo Xilai said China will do its utmost to help people
rebuild their homes.
Sources from the ministry said China had already undertaken some projects,
but he refused to name them.
Zhang Hongwen, an official of China Harbour Engineering Corp, a leading
bridge and harbour construction firm, said the company has long-term business in
South Asia and is willing to help local people re-build their homeland.
A technician with the company joined the first investigation team and has
been sent to Sri Lanka.
"We have had projects in Sri Lanka before. We know the conditions well
there," Zhang said. "Currently, our representative office in Sri Lanka is still
running."
The company had built a small harbour in the country, but it was destroyed
during the tsunami.
Chinese companies also enjoy geographical advantages, as China is so near to
the countries around the Indian Ocean, he said.
An official with the China International Contractors Association said major
Chinese construction companies have also expressed their interest in taking part
in the re-construction campaign.
"Most of them had projects in South Asia," he said. "They are confident they
can play a role in this campaign, as they are familiar with the situation
there."
China as a whole has been mobilized to help the countries soon after the
disaster.
The Chinese Government pledged US$2.6 million of supplies and immediate
relief to these areas and made an additional donation of 500 million yuan (US$60
million) a few days later.
By January 14, Red Cross China had collected more than
150 million yuan (US$18.1 million) in private donation.
