（Palais des Nations, 30 August 2022）

Honorable Foreign Minister Mr. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari,

Minister for Planning, Development&Special Initiatives Mr. Ahsan Iqbal,

Excellencies, Representatives, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Recently, severe floods have occurred in Pakistan, causing heavy casualties and serious property losses.They are deeply heart-wrenching. The Joint Launch of the 2022 Pakistan Floods Response Plan held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan and OCHA in Geneva is very timely and relevant. Hope it could muster the strength of all to help Pakistan people get through difficulties.

Since the occurrence of severe floods in Pakistan, our thoughts have been with the people in the affected areas. We feel deeply for the Pakistani side in this difficult time. Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a message of condolenceto Pakistani President Arif Alvi. Premier Li Keqiang expressed condolence to Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif. State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi also expressed sympathy to Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.Under the social and livelihood cooperation framework of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, China has provided 4,000 tents, 50,000 blankets and 50,000 pieces of waterproof tarp to Pakistan. They have been delivered to the frontline of disaster relief. In light of the situation on the ground and based on Pakistan’s needs, China has decided to provide an additional batch of emergency humanitarian supplies including 25,000 tents and other supplies in urgent need. The Red Cross Society of China will provide USD 300,000 in emergency cash assistance to the Pakistan Red Crescent Society. The All-Pakistan Chinese Enterprises’ Association has donated 15 million Pakistani Rupees to the Prime Minister’s Flood Relief Fund.

As all-weather strategic cooperative partners and "ironclad" friends, China and Pakistan have been sharing weal and woe for a long time, reaching out to each other and responding to major challenges including natural disasters side by side.China will continue to provide urgently needed assistance to Pakistan and support the country in its disaster relief work. We believe that, with the joint efforts of the Pakistani government and people, and the assistance of the international community, those in the disaster-hit areas will surely overcome the flood and rebuild their homes as early as possible.