Chinese express gratitude to Singaporeans during provincial leader’s visit
EVEN children cradling piggy banks queued outside the Chinese Embassy in Tanglin Road two years ago, eager to donate to the victims of the devastating earthquake in Sichuan.
About 40,000 people flocked to the embassy, most with cash in hand, said the Chinese Ambassador to Singapore, Mr Wei Wei.
‘For the first time in their lives, embassy staff counted money till they were exhausted,’ said Mr Wei in Mandarin, adding that they worked three shifts from morning till night to handle the massive crowds.
He was describing the huge outpouring of support in Singapore when a magnitude 8 earthquake ripped through Sichuan in May 2008, leaving 90,000 people dead or missing.
Donations from people here reached $37 million, with $10 million given during a TV fund-raiser on Channel 8.
The Chinese Embassy and Sichuan provincial government held a ceremony here to thank Singapore residents for their generosity.