ThepeopleofChinahavebeenverymuchinmythoughtsoverthepasttwoweeksasIhavewatched,withmountingconcern,theeffectsofthedevastationcausedbytheterribleearthquakeinSichuanProvince.IthasbeenmostimpressivetoseethemarvellouswayinwhichtheChinesehumanitarianoperationshavebroughtswiftandeffectiverelieftothoseaffected.
IamparticularlypleasedthattheWenchuanEarthquakeOrphanFundhasbeenestablished,tohelpthechildrenwhohavelosttheirparentsinthedisaster.IwantedtotakethisopportunitytosendmydeepestsympathyfollowingthisterribletragedytothepeopleofChina,andmymostheartfeltcondolencestoallthosewhohavelostlovedones.
MyPrince'sCharitiesareengagingevermorecloselyinChina,includingworktoassist,inasmallway,withthepreservationofChina'srichanddiverseheritage.Itwouldgivemethegreatestpleasureifwewereabletodevelopthesetiesstillfurtherwith,inparticular,practicalassistancefrommyPrince'sFoundationfortheBuiltEnvironmentinplanningthereconstructionofpartsofSichuanProvince.CharlesThePrinceofWales