Your Excellency Pehin Dato Seri Pahlawan Awang Haji Mohammad,

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports,

Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good Afternoon.

I am very delighted to address this Reception of Appreciation and Photo Exhibition. It is with heartfelt gratitude that my colleagues and I have been preparing for this event during the last whole month.

As we may recall, on May 12, 2008, a strong earthquake measuring 8.0 on the Richter scale jolted southwest China's Sichuan Province. Being the strongest one since the founding of the People's Republic of China, the earthquake has inflicted the heaviest casualties and affected the broadest areas of China. By 29 July, 2008, the quake death toll has reached 69,200. The number of people listed as missing has increased to 18,195.

Shortly after the earthquake happened, many countries and international organizations have rendered valuable aid and moral support to the Chinese government and people in their relief efforts. As of 20 July, 2008, the international donations have reached RMB3.1billion Yuan. Most of the donations have been transferred to the quake-hit areas. The Chinese central government has taken tangible and effective measures to audit the operations of the donations supervise their mobility details and ensure that every single cent should be used for the disaster-affected people.

Being a close neighbor of China, the government of Brunei Darussalam and friends from all walks of life have also provided China with great support in various forms, which we highly appreciate and will never forget. His Majesty sent condolences to President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao. During China's national mourning days, Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, on behalf of His Majesty's Government, came to the Chinese Embassy and extended her grave condolences to the disaster victims. His Majesty's Government donated US$ 1.1 million in cash to China's quake-hit areas and also established the Humanitarian Relief Fund for the Victims of Cyclone in Myanmar and the Earthquake in China.

We are also deeply touched by the scene that since the next day of the earthquake, many Bruneian people have kept coming to the Chinese Embassy in donations showing their humanitarian feelings for the quake-affected people in China. The amount of donations by local individuals in Brunei totalled 700,000 Brunei dollars.

All those commendable and lofty deeds originate from nowhere but the centuries-long, profound and true friendship between our two nations and two peoples. A friend in need is a friend indeed. All the facts have proven that Brunei Darussalam has always been one of China's true friends. Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to extend, on behalf of the Chinese Embassy and the people of the earthquake-hit areas in China, our most sincere gratitude to His Majesty's Government and the Bruneian people.

We are happy to see that under the forceful leadership of China's central government and with the considerable assistance from the international community, China has achieved an important victory over the quake relief. Nowadays the rescue work in Sichuan and other quake-affected areas have almost been finished and the main task now is the post-quake reconstruction. The Chinese central government is determined to finish all the reconstruction work within 3 years.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Three days later, the Beijing Olympic Games will be grandly opened. Greatly inspired by the worldwide attention, the Chinese people are more resolved than ever to host a splendid Olympic Games of harmony. As is known to all, the Olympic movement embodies humankind's eternal pursuit of peace, friendship and progress, where lies the source of joy and vitality for Olympicism. In the coming days, the Beijing Olympic Games will unfold to the world a magnificent testimony of peace, friendship and progress, and perform to the mankind a passionate sonata of Citius, Altius and Fortius. From the Mount Olympus in Greece to the Great Wall in China, the Olympic movement binds the world together with the bonds of friendship.

 In two days, His Majesty will be leaving for China to attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games. This is a friendly gesture and visible support that His Majesty has shown to China as well as to the Olympic movement. I believe that His Majesty's visit will further promote the traditional friendship between China and Brunei Darussalam. And I also believe that with the valuable support from the international community, China will be able to host a successful and splendid Games.

Once again, Pehin and ladies and gentlemen, my sincere thanks go to the Bruneian government and people and to the countries my colleagues represent in Bandar Seri Begawan.

Terima Kasih!