C: So Mr. Ambassador, it is my great pleasure to interview you. At first please say hi to our audience.
A: Good morning, I am so please to be interviewed here.
C: On May 12, an 8.0 magnitude earthquake pounded Sichuan province, tens of thousands of people were killed in the disaster. Chinese government used every measure to minimize the destruction. What is your opinion on the Chinese government’s efforts in Sichuan?
A: First I have to say this disaster is extremely serious one; the number of casualties and damages is really big in that area. We have all been impressed by the rapid and really extensive and efficient response that Chinese authority has been able to make in order to rescue in first place to organize hospital care and temporarily housing for who have been left homeless. I don’t think there much to complain about this efficient response by the authorities. Of course we also realized the extreme circumstances in which the rescue efforts still has to be done. We’ve seen that on TV as well, and once the media that rescue effort has been completed but a long work is waiting in order to reconstruct. We know lots of population had been affected.
C: 14:28 PM, 19th May, the whole country stood in silent tribute for the victims of the earthquake. We knew many of the foreign embassies in China lowered their national flags halfway to convey their sympathy; could you please talk about your feeling on that day? And what is your opinion on the reaction to this matter? Do you have anything want to say to our Chinese people?
A: well, it was a very memorable moment, this few minutes of silence, we actually observed the moment by assembling at our embassy over there. And we stood three minutes in silence; it provokes deep emotions in such a moment. After the rather extensive efforts, we also hearing the embassy have been making in order to track down the Finns living in Sichuan, fortunately, nobody from Finland had been hurt or killed in the earthquake, but they are under stress of course because they live in that area. I also wish to say that we have tried to show our sympathy by giving assistance, the Finland government has given assistance I know that it is helping the situation and may still increasing keep useful. Further more, Finnish companies operating in China have made extensive contributions as well and private citizens through the normal tunnels to contributing to Red Cross and so on. I can understand that, it is hard for the outside to understand fully the reaction of the Chinese to this event because it affects the country for millions of people, affects family members, friends and relatives. And it had been a remark thing to follow the very lots spontaneous preparedness for assisting that has going on in China, along with the existing efforts of the government and authorities. I’m very impressed.
