World
20:23, 27-Sep-2017
China donates 8.5 million dollars in aid and supplies to earthquake-ravaged Mexico
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The Chinese government is providing Mexico with 8.5 million US dollars in emergency humanitarian aid, after the country was decimated by a series of earthquakes this month. The disasters killed 300 people and caused many buildings to collapse.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has extended his condolences to his Mexican counterpart Enrique Pena Nieto over what potentially could be the deadliest and costliest 7.1 magnitude earthquake in south-central Mexico, which struck on September 19.
Xi also pledged to provide relief support for the Mexican government and people.
The 7.1M quake struck around lunchtime on the same date as a 1985 tremor, killing over 300 people and damaging 11,000 homes./ VCG Photo
The 7.1M quake struck around lunchtime on the same date as a 1985 tremor, killing over 300 people and damaging 11,000 homes./ VCG Photo
The 8.5-million-US-dollar donation includes one million dollars in cash, which will fund rescue efforts and reconstruction of buildings.
The remaining 7.5 million dollars will be used for emergency supplies and sent to Mexico via four chartered airplanes. The first batch of supplies has been dispatched from Beijing Capital International Airport at 3:00 p.m. (BJT) on Wednesday afternoon. The remaining three batches will be shipped over the next three days.
The first batch of relief supplies from Chinese government being loaded at Beijing Capital International Airport on September 27, 2017. /Photo via MOFCOM
The first batch of relief supplies from Chinese government being loaded at Beijing Capital International Airport on September 27, 2017. /Photo via MOFCOM
Zhao Gang, deputy director of the Ministry of Commerce’s foreign aid department, said China aims to provide post-disaster relief to victims who have lost their homes. Such supplies include tents and foldable beds.
Moreover, Chinese enterprises and overseas Chinese have also actively participated in rescue work.
With Mexico still searching for survivors buried in the ruins, aid and comfort will continue to be offered to the victims.
The Chinese Embassy in Mexico will continue to monitor the aftermath of the disaster and offer help to Chinese citizens, as spokesperson for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Lu Kang noted last Wednesday.
“China believes that the Mexican people can overcome the disaster and rebuild their lives,” Lu said.