On March 6th, 2008, a handover ceremony of "Appreciation Certificates from the Indonesian People to the Chinese Government and People for Tsunami and Earthquake Disaster Relief and Reconstruction Efforts" was held in Jakarta. H.E. Lan Lijun, Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia, and Mr. Kuntoro Mangkusubroto, Director of the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Agency for Aceh and Nias(BRR) co-hosted the ceremony and deliver their remarks separately. Mr. Fang Qiuchen, Minister-Counselor in charge of Economic and Commercial Affairs of the Chinese Embassy, Mr. Teuku Kamaruzzaman, Secretary General of BRR and Mr. Zhang Lei, Vice Chairperson of Association of Chinese Enterprises in Indonesia and other guests attended the ceremony.

 

Mr. Kuntoro Mangkusubroto said in his speech that the rehabilitation and reconstruction program in Aceh and Nias has been exceptional thanks to the generous support from donor countries, international community and private companies.

 

"For all the achievements, the Government of Indonesia acknowledged the profound support from donor countries, international communities and corporations, including the generous support provided by Chinese Government, China Red Cross, China Charity Federation and Chinese Business Association in Indonesia," Said Kuntoro Mangkusubroto,

 

"The support comes from Chinese Government, China Red Cross, China Charity Federation and Chinese Business Association in Indonesia for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Aceh and Nias has demonstrated the spirit of global partnership and the genuine generosity from Chinese Government and people to Indonesian Government and People. I am happy to present the certificate of appreciation signed by the President of Republic of Indonesia on behalf of the People of Indonesia," said Kuntoro Mangkusubroto.

 

 

Mr. Kuntoro presents the certificate to Ambassador Lan

 

Ambassador Lan said that when Aceh area in Sumatera Island was seriously damaged by the powerful Earthquake and ensuing Tsunami in the Indian Ocean three years ago, the catastrophe drew great sympathy and concern of the Chinese Government and people. The Chinese Government and people carried out the largest overseas disaster relief action ever. Up to now, aid from the Chinese Government and people exceeds 500 million RMB (over 60 million US dollars). The aid comes not only from the Chinese Government and people, the Chinese NGOs such as Red Cross Society of China, China Charity Federation, but also from the Chinese Companies in Indonesia. All this has demonstrated the friendly sentiments of the Chinese Government and people towards the Indonesian Government and people, the genuine will of the Chinese Government to actively participate in the disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction work of the affected area.

 

"The certificates of appreciation signed by Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, demonstrate friendly sentiments of sharing weal and woe between our two peoples, and the sense of social responsibility of Chinese Companies as well and we believe and also wish sincerely that the Indonesian Government and people will build a better Aceh and Nias", said Ambassador Lan.

 

Ambassador Lan and Mr. Zhang Lei then accepted on behalf of the Chinese Government, China Charity Federation and the Chinese Companies in Indonesia respectively the certificates of appreciation presented by Mr. Kuntoro Mangkusubroto.

 

 

Teuku, Kuntoro, Lan Lijun, Fang Qiuchen, Zhang Lei

 

Chinese disaster relief and reconstruction projects include pre-fabric houses, BRR Office Compound, earthquake monitoring and tsunami warning system, Nias Gunungsitoli hospital, a 700-housed China-Indonesia friendship village and other goods and materials donated through UN organizations have all been completed.