Vientiane (People's Daily)- Humanitarian aid from the Chinese government to Laos for flood relief arrived in Vientiane, capital of Laos, on Monday by a chartered flight from China Eastern Airlines.

A handover ceremony was held on the tarmac. Chinese Ambassador to Laos Wang Wentian and Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Welfare Khambay Khatthiya of Laos attended the ceremony and signed the handover document.

“China and Laos are reliable friends and brothers who share weal and woe, and both countries care about and help each other in difficult times,” said Wang. “Chinese people’s hearts are closely linked with the flood-plagued people in Laos, hoping the aid supplies from China to play a positive role in Laos’ disaster relief efforts."

Khambay thanked China for its selfless and generous aid, saying that China first provided aid immediately after the flood took place in Laos, which shows the deep friendship and profound bounds between the two governments and the two peoples. “The Lao government and people will long remember China’s strong support and make rational use of the aid supplies to help the afflicted people to resume their normal life as soon as possible,” said the deputy minister.

The aid includes 100 boats, 500 tents and 100 water purifiers. The rest of the aid will be transported to Laos on Tuesday. A Chinese medical team arrived on July 25 to help with the relief effort.

(Compiled by Li Lei)