China ready to send rescue teams to Philippines

China is ready to send rescue and medical teams to 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 and 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 teams there, Hong said.

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

Chinese rescuers will set off for the disaster-hit areas immediately once conditions permit, Hong said.

- Xinhua

(China Daily 11/18/2013 page11)