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Saudi ambassador talks of China-Saudi friendship

By Du Wenjuan (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2009-04-30 14:46

It may have been a striking number, but it was the least he could do for a friend, as the ambassador put it.

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Yahya A Al-Zaid, ambassador of Saudi Arabia to China, told chinadaily.com.cn of his journey to quake-hit Sichuan and gave his best wishes to the people there, one year after the tragedy.

A friend in need is a friend indeed. $50 million in cash and relief materials worth over $10 million were donated by Saudi King Abdullah only three days after the devastating earthquake shocked Wenchuan on May 12 last year.

The ambassador, about one month after coming to China after being appointed by the King, flew with the first batch of shipments to Chengdu where he stayed for nearly three days, supervising the Saudi team to make sure all materials were delivered to those who needed them.

"During the first few days I watched TV and I had a very strong feeling towards the people in the area and [realized] how much they needed help," he said.

After he returned to Beijing, the 63-year-old led the campaign to donate blood for the needy in quake areas, together with students and embassy staff at a Saudi Arabian school in Beijing last June.

Yahya Al-Zaid, ambassador of Saudi Arabia to China, talks during an interview with chinadaily.com.cn at the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Beijing, April 23, 2009. [chinadaily.com.cn]

"I think that was the least we could do. It was very essential for us to do it for our friends because our culture and our Islamic values call upon us to stand with our friends…and we are very close friends," the ambassador said.

Feeling sorry for the victims, he also expressed his confidence in the fast recovery of people's lives in Sichuan and hopes they have returned to their normal life.

"I would like to express our sincere hope and support for the victims, we are here with you… you've been proving to be resilient and have shown a great quality of recovery."

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