China extends ‘deep’ sympathy to PH over havoc caused by ‘Urduja’

FILE –  Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. AP PHOTO/Aaron Favila

The Chinese government has extended its “deep” and “sincere” sympathy to the Philippines over the severe damages wrought by tropical storm “Urduja” (international name: Kai-tak) in the Visayas.

In a statement addressed to Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi noted the “great” casualties and property losses caused by the tropical storm.

“I would like to hereby extend my deep and sincere sympathy to Your Honorable, and through you, to the people of the affected areas,” Wang said in a statement issued through the Chinese Embassy in Manila on Wednesday.

“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,” the Chinese foreign minister said.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) recorded P548 million worth of damage to infrastructure and P3 million to agriculture due to the storm.

According to NDRRMC, 41 persons died due to the tropical storm, adding that the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has yet to verify the identities of the fatalities.

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