Beijing, 21 January 2022 (TDI): In a regular press briefing, Zhao Lijian, the spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry shared that China has been closely observing the scenario in Tonga and has likewise acted promptly to render disaster-relief assistance.
The statement was made in response to a question posed by the Hubei Media Group about the volcanic eruption in Tonga and China’s disaster-relief assistance in response to the affected country.
Zhao Lijian further highlighted that the Red Cross Society of China has provided $100,000 as emergency humanitarian assistance to the Tongan authorities. The Chinese government has managed to put together some emergency supplies including food and drinking water as well as deliver them to Tonga on January 19 with the help of the Chinese Embassy in the country.
The Chinese government, through the Chinese Embassy in Tonga, has managed to put together emergency supplies including drinking water and food and delivered them to Tonga on January 19. The #Tongan side said #China is a true friend. pic.twitter.com/MCl7UJIp0u
— Spokesperson发言人办公室 (@MFA_China) January 20, 2022
The Deputy Prime Minister of Tonga, Poasi Tei whilst speaking at a ceremony marking the occasion thanked the Chinese government for the prompt help. The Chinese supplies were the first batch of emergency supplies the Tongan government received ever since the disaster struck.
Such a gesture is the embodiment of the special friendship between the two countries. Numerous Tongan people conveyed earnest gratitude to the Chinese Embassy, declaring China as a true friend in difficult times.
Zhao Lijian enunciated that China will persist to supply assistance in cash and other basic necessities based on the circumstances as well as Tonga’s requirements. It will strive to overcome unfavorable meteorological situations such as volcanic ash to deliver the supplies as soon as doable.
Earlier, last week on Saturday, the Polynesian archipelagic country witnessed a huge volcanic eruption that was even heard in New Zealand and Fiji. The eruption of the submerged Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano was so strong that it triggered a tsunami. Ever since the country is grappling to handle the aftermath.
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