China to continue providing further assistance to quake-hit Venezuela, says FM spokesperson

China is willing to continue providing further support and assistance to Venezuela in line with the latest developments in the disaster situation, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Tuesday.

Spokesperson Mao Ning made the remarks at a regular media briefing in response to a question regarding the earthquakes in Venezuela.

On the night of June 24, Venezuela was hit by its strongest earthquakes in more than a century, with two powerful quakes above magnitude 7 striking within one minute. The disaster has so far killed 3,342 people and injured 16,740.

China is paying close attention to the situation in Venezuela, Mao said, noting that in addition to the emergency cash assistance previously provided, the Chinese government has pledged an additional 100 million yuan (about $14.7 million) in emergency grant aid, while the Red Cross Society of China has provided $300,000 in emergency cash assistance to the Venezuelan Red Cross.

On July 6, the first batch of emergency humanitarian relief supplies provided by the Chinese government, including generators, water purification trucks, tents and blankets, arrived in Venezuela, she said, adding that China has also provided satellite imagery of the disaster-hit areas, while Chinese-funded enterprises and overseas Chinese communities in Venezuela have contributed substantial amounts of machinery, equipment and food.