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American promoter Don King was given extraordinary access today by Chinese officials who allowed him to tour hard-hit areas of May’s major earthquake near the Sichuan Province’s capital city of Chengdu.
King visited the same site that U. S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice toured on June 29 in the city of Dujiangyan. He stood in the rubble of the three-story Tengda Physical Club, which was decimated by the quake as evidenced by its toppled roof.
Activity in the streets showed the rebuilding effort is well on its way after the strong temblor registered 8.0 on the Richter scale, taking a heavy toll in the region.
“I have been very impressed by the great care and support that the Chinese government has given to its people in and around Chengdu,” King said. “It’s obvious to see they have been able to accomplish so much in terms of health, welfare and displacement facilities for those in need. The Chinese people have great resolve and resiliency.”
Accompanied by a Chinese media contingent, King also visited a nearby temporary housing village for victims of the quake that is currently accommodating 14,000 people. Children gravitated towards King in a small building next to a playground at the facility, and he obliged them with autographs and a bag of toys.
“It was a moving experience for me to meet with those who have lost so much and have been obviously grief-stricken and suffered great losses and still see they have a burning light of love and hope in their eyes. I was deeply touched.”
He continued, “I came here to see what happened in Chengdu. The boxing event we were planning prior to the earthquake is now taking a back seat to the humanitarian concerns in Sichuan Province.”
King believes a phrase adopted by top government leaders in China—wo men zai yi chi—which translates in English to “together we are” is apt.
“This rallying cry is being lived up to by the government and the people, uniting the country for a quick response, which epitomizes humanitarianism and the spirit of the heart.
King is scheduled to meet with Chengdu Mayor Ge Hung Lin on Friday.
