China donates cash to Colombia for clearing anti-personnel mines

• Source: Xinhua
• [18:54 June 11 2009]
• Comments

China has donated 2 million yuan (about 300,000 US dollars) to Colombia for clearing anti-personnel mines in the country, which killed hundreds of people in 2008, Chinese Ambassador to Colombia Li Changhua said.

During a meeting with Colombian Vice President Francisco Santos, Li said the donation, which was delivered on Tuesday night, was to support the implementation of the presidential program of Integral Action Against Anti-personnel Mines in Colombia.

The Colombian government said in a statement on Wednesday that China stressed its support for Colombia to eliminate the threats of anti-personnel mines, forbidden by international conventions, and to promote social and economic development in mined areas.

"The Chinese government aims to contribute to the social and economic development in the regions affected by mines in Colombia, and shows its solidarity with all victims of this device," Li said.

Santos said the donation reflected the good relations between China and Colombia, and the solidarity between the two peoples.

"The campaign of Integral Action Against Anti-personnel Mines is the priority of the Colombian government," Santos said. "We received the support from China with great gratitude, and it will help us keep the promise to eliminate anti-personnel mines in our nation."

According to statistics, as many as 768 people were killed by  anti-personnel mines in 2008 in Colombia, while 214 people died in the first four months in 2009, down 35 percent year-on-year.