H.E. Mr. Zhang Junsai, Chinese Ambassador to Australia, wrote

letters of sympathy and condolence on Monday to the Hon. John Brumby, Premier of Victoria and Professor David de Kretser, Governor of Victoria over the firestorm that has caused a high death toll and huge damage.

Zhang expressed his deep sorrow that the firestorm swept across Victoria has claimed over 100 lives and injured several hundreds, while many others lost their homes. Zhang expressed his sympathy and condolence to the relatives of the death as well as the people injured.

Zhang said that in times of difficulties, the Chinese people and Australians always support each other. The Chinese people will always remember the generous assistances from the people in Victoria after the devastating earthquake in Sichuan last May. Now our thoughts are with the people in Victoria.

Ambassador Zhang believed that people in Victoria will overcome the difficulties and soon recover from the disaster.