On January 2, Mr. Cao Gangchuan, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission, state councilor and defense minister of China, on behalf of the Defense Ministry and People's Liberation Army, sent a message of condolence to Mr. Pranab Mukherjee, Indian Defence Minister. In the message, Mr. Cao expressed great sorrow and sympathy for the heavy loss of life and property caused by the earthquakes and tsunamis happening on December 26, 2004, and conveyed profound condolences to the victims and sincere consolation to their families.

In his message, he said China and India are good neighbors. The Chinese government, Chinese people and military have shown great concern over the situation of the tsunami-stricken areas in India and China's Defense Ministry and military have also actively participated in China's relief aid work to the disaster-hit countries. To further express the Chinese military's friendship to Indian military, China's Defense Ministry will provide a donation totaled 2.3 million RMB (about 277.1 thousand US dollars) from Chinese military officers and servicemen, to Indian defense ministry to support their relief and reconstruction work. 

Mr. Cao said he believed that under the leadership of the Government of India, Indian people and military will definitely conquer the disasters, overcome difficulties and rehabilitate their homelands.