ASEAN Secretariat, 15 May 2008

The Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, is greatly saddened by the enormous loss of lives in the massive earthquake that hit Sichuan, China, on 12 May 2008.

Dr. Surin expressed his sincere condolences in letters to President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao and Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi of China on 13 May 2008. Dr. Surin said he was confident that China would be able to cope successfully and efficiently with this natural calamity.