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[relaxtischina]

Being the world's second most powerful economy it seems at least strange and arguably miserly that China so far has pledged so little to help its neighbor in light of the recent hurricane tragedy. Is this a case of how not to win friends and influence people?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-24938874

Aid at a glance

Asian Development Bank: $500m (£312m) emergency loans and $23m in grants

Australia: A$30m ($28m, £17m) package, including aircraft, medical staff, shelter materials, water containers and hygiene kits

China: 10m yuan ($1.6m; £1m) in relief goods plus $200,000 (£120,000) from government and Red Cross

European Commission: $11m (£6.8m)

Indonesia: Logistical aid including aircraft, food, generators and medicine

Japan: $10m (£6.2m), including tents and blankets. Pledged up to 1,000 soldiers, 25-person medical team already sent

South Korea: $5m (£3.1m) plus a 40-strong medical team

UAE: $10m (£6.2m) in humanitarian aid

UK: $32m (£20m) aid package, sending aircraft carrier, destroyer and large transport aircraft

US: $20m (£12.4m) in humanitarian aid, 300 military personnel, aircraft carrier and other ships, military aircraft plus logistics support

[Simon in Suzhou]

I don't really get all this criticism over what China donated in comparison to other countries. When the Sichuan earthquake happened in 2008, killing 70,000 people, the Philippines government sent NO money or aid, but did send ONE medical team to help. It seems in comparison China has been quite generous.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reactions_to_the_2008_Sichuan_earthquake

Disasters are terrible things, and it is good people are willing to help their fellow humans in distress. However, it seems that people should be spending more time criticizing the MASSIVE corruption of the Philippines government which consistently screws over its own people, does not develop the basic infrastructure for decent living, and has no system in place to get people to safety in disasters like this. Everyone knew this storm was coming, and the death toll could have been far less if the Philippines would get their sh$% together instead of assassinating each other to reap the financial benefits of political office.

All these news stories criticizing what China gave reminds me of the beggar on the street who complains when i give 5 RMB because he thinks I can afford to give him 10. Screw him. I'll take my 5 RMB back out of his pot. The people of the Philippines are not the Chinese government's responsibility. Any help given should be received with a hearty "thank you." Period.

[NoBillyNO]

The politics of giving.....and another reason to draw comparisons. Shameful the way tragic events and disasters are used to gain ground in the verbal/economic cold war.

Again, it would be interesting to see what was offered by those who choose to criticize any offer of aid. I suppose due to our relative good salaries, FT's should be on the forefront of charity over ...lets say the common worker in China.

[roadwalker]