The day-long charity sale programme was inaugurated by Madam Le Aimei, the Honorary Ambassador for Poverty Reduction of Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA-PRC). She is the wife of Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi who was also present on the occasion and later visited various booths along with Madam Le.

At the Pakistani booth the wife of Ambassador Masood Khan Mrs Zohra Masood warmly greeted both the distinguished guests. Mrs Zhora Masood informed them about traditional Pakistani handicrafts, dresses, and other items put on sale for the charity. Earlier, in her address as a Chief Guest Madam Le Aimei said that today we gathered here for the cause that there is no border for international charity.

She extended on behalf of foreign Minister Yang Jiechi the warm welcome and sincere appreciation to the entire diplomatic mission who established their booths for the noble cause. She said that "Love knows no borders" is the theme of the poverty sales of today. It is our love for the people living in poor areas that for their support we all gathered here today, she said adding it is the love that transcends race, colour, and religion.

This charity event, she pointed out has been held twice in succession every year, adding that in 2009 we used the proceeds for construction of teaching buildings for each primary school in Jinping county and Malipo county. She said that in 2010 we spent the charity amount for building rehabilitation centres in Hubei province.

The proceeds from international charity sale will all be used for whole village renovation project in Xinzhai village township of Jinping County and Chongzi village of Mali Town of Malipo County. The poverty alleviation achievements with the assistance of the MFA in Malipo County are: provision of better education, public health service, drinking water and renovation of whole village.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011