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