China ready to send rescue teams to typhoon-hit areas in Philippines

BEIJING - China is ready to send rescue and medical teams to the disaster-stricken areas in the Philippines hit by Super Typhoon Haiyan, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said on Saturday.

Hong said China has been paying high attention to the disaster situation in the Philippines, and has expressed for several times that it is considering providing humanitarian aid to the disaster areas.

Taking into consideration the actual demands of the typhoon-hit areas, the Chinese government is willing to send medical team there, Hong said.

The Blue Sky Rescue Team affiliated to the Red Cross Society of China and other non-governmental rescue teams also expressed their willingness to join disaster relief in the Philippines, he said.

China has maintained communication with the Philippines on the issue of medical assistance, and Chinese rescuers will set off for the disaster-hit areas immediately once conditions permit, Hong said.