June 14, 2008	Saturday	Jamadi-us-Sani 09, 1429

BEIJING, June 13: Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir has said the nation is proud of Pakistani medical team’s relief work in areas affected by the recent earthquake in China.

Speaking to members of the medical team at the Pakistan Embassy here on Friday, he said the team had demonstrated “our goodwill” for the Chinese people who faced the May 12 catastrophe with great resilience.

“Your contribution will play an important role in the long history of friendship between Pakistan and China,” he told the team.

The 28-member medical team set up a field hospital in Long Nan city.

The hospital provided treatment to over 1,200 people and also carried out surgeries.

Mr Bashir recalled that China was among the first countries which had sent relief and medical teams to Pakistan after the 2005 earthquake.

The leader of the medical mission, Dr Habibur Rehman, said his colleagues were proud that God had given them an opportunity to work for a noble cause.

He said that President Hu Jintao’s visit to the field hospital was a great source of encouragement for them.

“We are proud that the Chinese president took time to meet us.”

Later, members of the medical team left for Islamabad.

—APP