Xi sends condolences to Duterte over Tembin storm losses

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Chinese President Xi Jinping has sent his condolences to his Philippine counterpart Rodrigo Duterte over the heavy casualties and damage caused by Tropical Storm Tembin.

Nearly 200 people were killed and over 70,000 others displaced in mudslides and floods triggered by Tembin as it swept through the southern parts of the Philippines. Some 159 people are still unaccounted for.

Xi, on behalf of the Chinese government and people, extended his sincere sympathy in a message on Monday to the Philippine president and those who were affected by the storm.

Residents are seen near a mosque in a village devastated by flash floods in Salvador, Lanao del Norte in southern Philippines, December 24, 2017. /Reuters Photo

The Chinese president said he felt deeply grieved over the suffering and displacement of the Philippine people from the disaster, and noted that China is willing to provide emergency assistance to disaster-hit areas for rescue and relief.

Xi stressed that he believed that under the strong leadership of both the president and the government of the Philippines, the Philippine people will overcome the disaster and rebuild their homeland.