Global Reaction

China aid to quake-hit Japan continues to rise

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-03-16 20:39

BEIJING - An eastern Chinese city followed the lead of other local Chinese governments by donating money to earthquake-hit areas in Japan on Wednesday, while support from the public is also being mobilized.

The municipal government of Wenzhou, in east China's Zhejiang Province, will donate 2 million yuan (307,692 U.S. dollars) to Ishinomaki, its Japanese sister city in hard-hit Miyagi Prefecture, Wenzhou Mayor Zhao Yide said in a letter of condolence.

Zhao said the government of Wenzhou and its people are sad about loss in Ishinomaki and are concerned about rescue and recovery efforts.

Zhao said that the government will urge Wenzhou residents to donate money as well.

Wenzhou is latest Chinese local government to pledge donations to quake-hit areas in Japan.

Previously, the provincial government of Jilin said it will donate 100,000 US dollars to the prefectural government of Miyagi while the municipal government of Changchun, capital of Jilin, pledged 500,000 yuan to the municipal government of Sendai.

China's Red Cross Society on Tuesday said it had donated 6 million yuan in emergency aid to Japan following last Friday's 9.0-magnitude earthquake and ensuing tsunami that have left thousands dead or missing in northeastern Japan.

China sent a 15-member international rescue team to Japan on Sunday, while the Ministry of Commerce said it will provide 30 million yuan worth of emergency humanitarian assistance.

The first relief package -- composed of 2,000 blankets, 900 cotton tents and 200 emergency lights  -- had already arrived in Japan.

Fundraisers were held in universities and public plazas over the past few days. Banners with words of support were seen in many places including a sports stadium in Tianjin where a Japanese football team was competing in an AFC Champions League match.

"When China suffered earthquakes, Japan gave a helping hand. Now, it is time for us to help them," said a Chinese surnamed Liu who participated in a survey conducted by Ji'nan University, based in southern Guangdong Province.