China donates P5M to Urduja victims

China has donated USD100,000 or roughly PHP5 million to those affected by the recent devastation caused by Tropical Storm “Urduja” in Southern Luzon and Eastern Visayas. (Pixabay photo)

MANILA — China has donated USD100,000 or roughly PHP5 million to those affected by the recent devastation caused by Tropical Storm “Urduja” in Southern Luzon and Eastern Visayas.

Counselor Sun Yi of the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines turned over the humanitarian aid in cash on behalf of the Red Cross Society of China to Secretary-General Oscar Palabyab of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC).

In a statement Wednesday, Sun said China looks forward to lending “more strength to the disaster relief efforts” of the Philippine government to overcome the difficulties caused by Urduja, which just left the Philippine area of responsibility mid-Tuesday.

According to the embassy official, the monetary assistance also aims to help the affected people restore their normal livelihood soon.

Palabyab, on behalf of PRC chairman and Senator Richard Gordon, expressed appreciation to China’s generosity, noting that “the Chinese side has always been the first to respond and extend helping hands whenever the Philippines and its people are in difficulties.”

As per the embassy, the donation “bears witness to the friendly sentiments” of the Chinese people towards Filipinos, signifying interest to further “deepen amity and mutual understanding” between the two countries.

Earlier, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi extended a message to Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano on the losses caused by Urduja.

“I would like to hereby extend my deep and sincere sympathy to Your Honorable, and through you, to the people of the affected areas. I am convinced that, under the leadership of the Philippine government, the people of the affected areas will overcome the disaster and restore their normal lives at an earliest date,” Wang said.