Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday, Dec. 21, extended his condolences to President Duterte over the deadly typhoon Odette that battered the Philippines last week.
"Xi, on behalf of the Chinese government and people as well as in his own name, expressed deep condolences to the victims of the disaster and extended sincere sympathies to the bereaved families and the injured," a message from the Chinese government read.
Xi said he "was shocked to learn that the Philippines was hit by the typhoon, which has caused heavy casualties and property losses."
The Chinese President further said that his county stands ready to provide assistance to the Philippines within its capacity, adding that he "believes that the people in the disaster areas will surely defeat the disaster and rebuild their homes."
On Tuesday, the Chinese government extended help to affected communities by sending food packages to several heavily-affected provinces.
Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian said the Chinese Embassy has raised 20,000 food packages worth around P8 million. Each package contains 5 kilograms of rice, 10 canned food and 10 noodle packs.
"With the help of the local Filipino-Chinese Community, these relief goods are on their way to Cebu, Leyte, Negros Occidental, Bohol, Cagayan de Oro City, Surigao City, Negros Oriental, etc.," the ambassador said.
More than four million kilograms of Chinese government-donated rice are already in different Philippine ports for distribution in heavily-affected areas, he added.