China finally sending aid to the Philippines, what a shame

As you all know by now by the countless fundraising initiatives that have taken place all throughout the media and social networks, the Philippines was hit by a massive typhoon. This typhoon was so big in fact that it made hurricanes such as Katrina look like child's play compared to it. The Philippines are in a state of emergency. From the countless articles and pictures I have read and seen, the destruction is unparalleled. The entire city of Tacolban (whose before and after pictures I will include below) has been leveled. But for a disaster so detrimental, the aid that went into relieving the entire Philippine nation was quite massive. The major players in the International community have rallied together to donate money, supplies, and even transport (US using navy helicopters to transport supplies) towards those affected by this monstrous storm. Yet surprisingly, for the hundred of millions of dollars the International community has sent for relief towards the Phillippines, China has contributed barely a fraction of the costs. In a recent report done by the BBC, it was found that "China initially offered $100,000 (£60,000) in aid, a fraction of that committed by other major nations."

The initial amount in my mind, and the rest of the international community's minds, is simply outrageous. Its not that China does not have the money to give, but its the intentions the Chinese had in withholding aid that has angered many people. Earlier in the year (if you are familiar-I'm sure you are not) relations between the two nations soured over territorial disputes over islands off the border of the Philippines. Tensions rose so high in fact that both Navy's deployed in the area waiting for an immanent attack. While I understand why the Chinese are reluctant to hand over aid to a nation they could have very well went to war with, they need to think practically! In any sort of conflict, the clear winner would obviously be China. China has the resources and capabilities to do things that we as Americans can barely fathom a once third world nation of accomplishing. So for a nation that contributes to almost 1/3 of the funds of the IMF, pledging $100,000 is outrageous.

After much uproar, China later pledged another $1.6m (£1m) in relief goods, although it was still a lower contribution than that of several other countries including Australia, South Korea, and the UK.On Wednesday, China confirmed that rescue workers would also be sent to the Philippines as well as a hospital ship named The Peace Ark