Information on Loughborough
News Index
2012
Feb 2012Jan 2012
2011
Dec 2011Nov 2011
Oct 2011
Sep 2011
Aug 2011
Jul 2011
Jun 2011
May 2011
Apr 2011
Mar 2011
Feb 2011
Jan 2011
2010
Dec 2010Nov 2010
Oct 2010
Sep 2010
Aug 2010
Jul 2010
Jun 2010
May 2010
Apr 2010
Mar 2010
Feb 2010
Jan 2010
2009
Dec 2009Nov 2009
Oct 2009
Sep 2009
Aug 2009
Jul 2009
Jun 2009
May 2009
Apr 2009
Mar 2009
Feb 2009
Jan 2009
2008
Dec 2008Nov 2008
Oct 2008
Sep 2008
Aug 2008
Jul 2008
Jun 2008
May 2008
Apr 2008
Mar 2008
Feb 2008
Jan 2008
2007
Dec 2007Nov 2007
Oct 2007
Sep 2007
Aug 2007
Jul 2007
Jun 2007
May 2007
China Earthquake
Posted on 14/05/2008
P. Klein
Leading Leicestershire figures are pulling together to offer vital support to the people of Sichuan in China.
David Parsons, Leader of Leicestershire County Council, and David Webb, Leicestershires Chief Fire Officer, have pledged to do whatever they can to help in the aftermath of the earthquake.
Sichuan is the sister province of Leicestershire and the two have been twinned for 20 years. It was hit by the earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale yesterday.
Mr Parsons is in contact with the local Sichuan Government and is receiving regular upates on the situation.
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service is on stand-by and has helped with similar natural disasters overseas. The service has canine search teams and specialist search and rescue skills.
David Parsons said: "I am in regular contact with the Governor of Sichuan and yesterday offered my condolences. We have close cultural and trade links with Sichuan and have friends and colleagues in the area.
"We were shocked to hear of the devestation caused by the earthquake - although Leicestershire is separated by distance, we will do whatever we can to help at this difficult time."
"Our thoughts are with everyone involved in or affected by this tragic event."
Min Rose, China Business Advisor for the locally-based East Midlands China Business Bureau, works to develop with to develop links with the country and has family in the affected area.
She said: "Communication is incredibly difficult but I managed to get through to my immediate family a few hours after the event and thankfully they are ok.
"There is a real community spirit - people are donating blood and ferrying people to hospital. I am very moved by the concern and support received here in Leicestershire."
Background Information:
In November 1988, a newly appointed Governor, Mr Zhang Haoruo, visited Leicestershire to sign an agreement on the establishment of a friendly relationship between the County of Leicestershire and the Province of Sichuan. The agreement referred to exchanges, links and co-operation in the fields of industry, agriculture, trade, science, technology, culture, education, public health and tourism. The purpose of the agreement was to promote a continuous development of economic and cultural links between Leicestershire and Sichuan.
Trade delegations have travelled between Leicestershire and Chongqing to develop business, education and cultural bonds with China. Thanks to the East Midlands/China Bureau, more than 300 Leicestershire businesses have now made links and 10 county schools have twinned with counterparts in Chongqing.