Chinese evacuees airlifted from riot-torn East Timor arrived in
east China's Fujian Province yesterday evening.
Two Boeing aircraft carrying 246 of them landed at Gaoqi
International Airport in Xiamen at around 9:30 PM. The evacuees,
most of whom were businessmen, are from Guangdong, Fujian and Shandong provinces.
Liu Laiyan, 50, from Fujian, spoke of the terrible impact of the
troubles. "The violence has left me penniless," he said. "Without
the help of the government it would be impossible for us to get
over the calamity."
Wang Deren, who returned home with five relatives, told
reporters he felt a feeling of warmth when he saw officials from
his hometown of Pingtan in Fujian waiting for him at the airport.
"It feels so good to be home," he said.
Most Fujian natives residing in East Timor earn a living selling
household electrical appliances and groceries.
In Beijing, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing urged consular officials to
intensify efforts to protect overseas Chinese. He was speaking at a
launch ceremony for the Division of Consular Protection under the
Department of Consular Affairs.
Before the violence erupted there were some 500 Chinese people
living in Dili. More than 200 had departed before the evacuation
planes arrived, according to Chinese Ambassador Su Jian. With
yesterday's airlift only a few Chinese remained to take care of
their shops in case of looting, he added.
The violence, which escalated last week, has resulted in the
deaths of at least 27 people to date. Reports said that the current
riots were triggered by factional clashes between the military and
the government and there was a danger of the violence escalating
into civil war.
(China Daily May 30, 2006)