VN offers US$100,000 in aid to help China overcome consequences of natural disasters

The aid is a solidarity move originating from the two countries’ tradition of mutual assistance, according to the Foreign Ministry.

Earlier on July 16, foreign ministers of 10 ASEAN member countries issued a statement extending their deepest sympathies and condolences to the Government and people of China for the tragic losses of lives, displacement of people, destruction of homes and property and extensive damage caused by recent floods in many areas.

ASEAN affirms its solidarity with the Government and people of China and stands ready to extend assistance to China in this difficult time, according to the statement initiated by Viet Nam as the current ASEAN Chair.

The regional foreign ministers are confident that China will overcome the challenges and recover swiftly from the impact of this natural disaster.

This is the fourth statement realeased by ASEAN foreign ministers this year on urgent matters in the region and the world. Earlier, they issued statements on the Situation in the Middle East (January), Bushfires Crisis in Australia (January), and Jade Mine Landslide in Myanmar’s Kachin (July).

Since June, 141 people have died or are missing, 37.89 million have been affected and over 2,246,00 relocated due to floods in 27 provincial-level regions in China, including eastern Anhui and Jiangxi provinces, according to Chinese authorities.

The water levels of 433 rivers in China have risen over the danger mark since early June, with 33 of them rising to historical highs, said the Ministry of Water Resources on Monday.

Meanwhile a 5.1-magnitude earthquake jolted Guye District of Tangshan City in north China’s Hebei Province on July 12, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC).

The epicenter was monitored at 39.78 degrees north latitude and 118.44 degrees east longitude, with the quake striking at a depth of 10km, the CENC said./.

By Quang Minh