Philippines refused relief supplies from China, says congressman

The Philippine Star has called China's relief efforts after Typhoon Haiyan, finally coming in the form of rescue and medical teams, delayed. A member of the Philippine congress, however, said China attempted to send two 747 aircraft bearing relief supplies to the Philippines the day after the typhoon ripped through the country on Nov. 8, according to China's Global Times.


The congressman said the two aircraft were carrying emergency supplies to Cebu for transfer to Leyte province, the region most devastated by Haiyan, one of the strongest tropical storms on record. They were barred from landing by the Philippine government, which was hesitant to allow aid from China given the ill feeling between the two countries over territorial disputes in the South China Sea.


There was already a flurry of teams and supplies racing in from other countries, so the government did not feel the need to actively respond to China's aid, the congressman is reported to have said.

The Philippine government does not want any help from China, according to a professor of politics at the University of the Philippines. China was the only country whose aid was held at the border.

Beijing had previously been criticized for offering only US$100,000 in aid in the immediate aftermath of the disaster.


Super Typhoon Haiyan struck the central provinces of the Philippines on Nov. 8, totally wiping out the city of Tacloban in the eastern province of Leyte. The official death toll from the disaster stands at over 4,000 with 1,600 people still unaccounted for.

http://www.wantchinatimes.com/news-subclass-cnt.aspx?id=20131121000047&cid=1101

 

... very interesting. thanks for posting, vancouverfun ...

... it makes sense that countries would be cautious about who provides them with aid after a big disaster because it would be easy for their foes to take advantage of their vulnerable situation ...

 

Smart move by the Flips.