Nepal appreciates unconditional quake-relief aid from China

The Nepalese government has said that it has appreciated the humanitarian assistance provided by China as part of the international relief efforts for a massive earthquake which jolted the Himalayan nation in April.

"The beauty of Chinese support is it all comes through government channel and it's always unconditional," Chief Secretary of the government Leela Mani Paudyal told Xinhua in a recent interview.

Noting that Nepal has received a very generous and high level of cooperation before and during the earthquake, Paudyal said, "We have been receiving commitments from the Chinese ambassador and visiting dignitaries that China is ready to provide any sort of support if it is requested through formal channels."

"We are much more confident that we will get continuous support from China for the reconstruction of this country," he said before an International Conference on Nepal reconstruction.

The conference is called by the Nepalese government on Thursday to gain financial aid for the rebuilding process of the quake- devastated country. Nepal needs 669.50 billion rupees (6.7 billion U.S. dollars) for post-quake reconstruction, according to a latest official report.

A 7.9-magnitude earthquake struck Nepal on April 25, killing over 8,800 people and destroyed more than 500,000 houses.

China joined the international community in sending rescue crews, medical teams and some 650 tons of tents, generators, water purification facilities, blankets and other emergency supplies to quake-stricken Nepal. Endi