China will continue its efforts in rescuing Vietnamese ships and
fishermen affected by Typhoon Chanchu, Chinese ambassador to
Vietnam Hu Qianwen said in Hanoi Sunday.
The ambassador made the pledge when meeting with Vietnamese
deputy foreign minister Le Cong Phung, who on behalf of the
Vietnamese government and people asked for continued efforts of
China in helping the victims.
Hu said the Chinese government has taken urgent measures to
facilitate rescue operations.
China's Transport Ministry has sent professional rescue ships
while the Agriculture Ministry has asked Chinese fishing ships near
the site to rescue any Vietnamese ship and fisherman they have
found.
China has also issued a warning, requiring all ships going
through the waters to save the affected Vietnamese ships and
fishermen, he said.
By 21:30 of May 20, China had rescued 21 typhoon-hit Vietnamese
fishing ships sailing in the Chinese waters, Hu said, noting they
had been supplied with fuel, drinking water and food.
After thanking the Chinese government and people for their
assistance, Phung asked China to continue the rescue activities. He
said Vietnam will give China more details about the missing ships
and radio frequencies to facilitate the operations.
He said Vietnam has yet to have full statistics about the number
of Vietnamese ships and fishermen hit by Typhoon Chanchu. Local
media reported that by May 20, a total of 26 bodies of fishermen
had been found, and nearly 200 people had gone missing.
Chanchu was formed in the Pacific, about 550 km east of Mindanao
Island in the Philippines on May 9. It hit central Philippines and
southern China, killing dozens of people and affecting thousands of
others.
(Xinhua News Agency May 22, 2006)
