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MANILA, Philippines -- China matched the $100,000 donation of the
United States when Chinese Ambassador to the country Song Tao on handed over to acting Foreign Affairs Secretary Francisco Benedicto a check also worth $100,000 as China's donation for victims of typhoon ?Frank? (international code name: Fengshen).
At the same time, German President Horst Kohler joined other European leaders in condoling with the Philippines.
?I was shocked and grieved to learn of the many victims claimed by the typhoon Fengshen and the tragic ferry incident caused by that storm off the Philippine coast. May I express to you, also on behalf of my fellow Germans, my heartfelt condolences. Our deep sympathy and our thoughts go out to the families of the victims at that difficult time,? he said in a letter addressed to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and coursed through the Department of Foreign Affairs.
European Union President Juan Manuel Barroso, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, and the French government also sent their sympathies to the typhoon victims. The French government also offered assistance.
The Chinese donation Wednesday followed the condolences sent by Chinese President Hu Jintao.
After expressing "shock" over the large casualties and property losses brought by the devastating typhoon, the Chinese leader said: "As close neighbor and good friend to the Philippines, we share the sufferings of the victims and their families."
China's $100,000 donation is meant for the Philippine government's disaster relief and reconstruction efforts.
"We hope that under the leadership of the Philippine government and with the support of different circles of society, the people of the typhoon-hit area will overcome the difficulties and reconstruct their homeland as early as possible," the Chinese leader said.
The US government has announced that the US Agency for
International Development (USAID) would give out $100,000 worth of relief goods through the Philippine National Red Cross for immediate distribution in the most severely affected areas.
The US Pacific Command also instructed US Navy Ship Stockham and the US Navy P-3 maritime surveillance aircraft to help in the search and rescue operations.
($1=P44.50)
