12 February 2008

United States Sends Coats, Blankets and Food to China

Aid helps China battle effects of winter storms, promotes friendship

 

The Chinese military is working to battle the chaos caused by recent snow and ice storms. (© AP Images)

The Chinese military is working to battle the chaos caused by recent snow and ice storms. (© AP Images)

Washington -- With China facing its worst winter in more than five decades, the United States moved quickly to lend a warm hand, providing 6,000 winter coats, 1,657 blankets and 87,552 boxed rations for the Chinese people.

The $820,000 in assistance was flown by the U.S. Air Force in a heavy-lift C-17 transport aircraft from Hawaii to Shanghai International Airport, where it was unloaded and given to the People's Liberation Army.

Chinese army officials will send the 102,462 kilograms of humanitarian assistance to 19 provinces in the country's eastern and central regions that have been pummeled by snow and ice storms.

The opportunity for military-to-military contacts between the U.S. and Chinese militaries prompted Chinese Major General Lihua Qian to say that the transfer promotes friendship between the two nations and militaries.

The Chinese Defense Ministry's director of the foreign affairs office says:  "The Chinese armed forces will continue to strengthen substantial cooperation with the U.S. side in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and advance the sound and steady development of military relations between the two sides."

The U.S. Pacific Command coordinated the deliveries.  The delivery flights coincided with Chinese New Year celebrations.

Qian gave the captain of one of the aircraft a symbol of the Year of the Rat to remember his trip to China.