Villagers, isolated by super typhoon Yolanda a week ago, scramble for relief goods being dropped by Philippine Air Force at La Paz, Leyte province in central Philippines, Friday Nov. 15, 2013. AP FILE PHOTO
BEIJING, China – China says it is “ready” to send emergency medical personnel to the disaster-hit Philippines after its earlier pledges of financial and material aid were criticized as meager given its economic power.
The Chinese government, which has a long-standing territorial dispute with the Philippines, initially offered just $100,000 to help in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Yolanda but raised its offer by a further $1.6 million on Thursday.
He added that private groups, including one under the Chinese Red Cross, have also expressed willingness to travel to the Philippines to assist in disaster relief.
Hong said the rescue teams would depart “when conditions” allow but did not provide further details on the contingent.
China was in close contact with the Philippine government on the provision of medical assistance, he said.
Beijing’s offer of aid has been dwarfed by contributions from the US, which is leading the relief effort, Britain and Japan.
Questions over the size of Chinese assistance come as Beijing and Manila are involved in a dispute over islands in the South China Sea that both nations claim and which has cast a shadow over their bilateral relations.