China envoy assures ‘Yolanda’ victims of aid

Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua

Despite conflicting claims in the West Philippine Sea, China appeared to be mending fences with the Philippines when its ambassador paid a surprise visit to the victims of Supertyphoon “Yolanda” (international name: Haiyan) in Tacloban City, Leyte, on Wednesday to assure them that “(China) will always stand by (them) and make sure (they) will have a better life.”

“I can see from your smiles that you are confident and you have a better life,” People’s Republic of China Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua told the homeless Yolanda survivors at the traditional shelters of Tagpuro and Cali villages.

“The Chinese Embassy in the Philippines would like to continue this kind of assistance. This is my first time here but I promise that it won’t be the last. Please remember that you are not alone. You have China, you have the International Organization for Migration. We will always stand by you and make sure that you will have a better life,” Zhao said in a statement issued by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman, who was with Zhao, said the diplomat’s gesture of goodwill showed “the strong ties that continue to bind both countries.”

The DSWD Field Office for Eastern Visayas said Zhao distributed relief packs good for at least one month to the homeless victims.

Soliman assured the ambassador that a “more decent life awaits the families when they transfer to their permanent homes.”

Zhao also met with Tacloban Mayor Alfred Romualdez. “Thank you to the Chinese ambassador for your thoughtfulness,” Romualdez posted on his Facebook page.