China's attitue toward int's aid changes
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-07-27 16:56
In 2004, China launched its largest ever overseas aid-and-relief operation
after a major tsunami struck in Southeast Asia, South Asia and parts of Africa.
The Chinese government pledged 21.63 million yuan (US$2.7 million) worth of
emergency humanitarian aid in equipment and cash. It later increased that amount
by 500 million yuan (US$62.5 million) and transferred domestic public donations
worth US$20 million to the disaster-hit nations, according to the Ministry of
Commerce.
When Hurricane Katrina ravaged the southern United States last August, China
offered US$5 million worth of assistance and emergency relief materials. China
has also sent relief aid to other countries including Russia during the Beslan
incident, earthquake-stricken Iran, and Afghanistan.
"A key value in Chinese culture is 'humanity'. As the Chinese saying goes,
'When a disaster strikes, help should come from all sides,'" said Prof. Lin from
the Party School of the CPC Central Committee. "So when China receives
international aid to deal with its domestic emergencies and in return offers
assistance to others when they are hit by crisis, the world will see a more
confident and responsible nation," he said.
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