A batch of emergency relief supplies offered by the Chinese government arrived in Vanuatu's capital Port Vila on Thursday.
At the handover ceremony, Vanuatu's caretaker Prime Minister Charlot Salwai expressed the country's appreciation for China's assistance and said it will support Vanuatu's recovery process going forward.
"I would like to thank the development partners and friends of Vanuatu, especially, China, for their kind support in good times and in bad times. They always stand by side with the Vanuatu government. My sincere gratitude to China, the people of China for their kind support, especially this morning, to bring the plane to Vanuatu, Airbus A300, which can land on our tarmac," said Salwai.
The 35-ton aid includes tents, folding beds, solar lights, food, water purifiers and medical equipment.
"These supplies are urgently needed after the earthquake, including tents, food, medical and sanitation stuff. Soon after the earthquake, Chinese leader expressed sympathy and concern to Vanuatu. The Red Cross Society of China immediately offered 100,000 U.S. dollars in cash assistance. The Chinese government will continue to provide aid, while the post-disaster reconstruction work is underway," said Li Minggang, Chinese ambassador to Vanuatu.
A 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck nearby Port Vila on December 17, 2024, killing at least 14 people, injuring more than 200 and severely damaging the city's infrastructure.
China's emergency relief supplies arrive in Vanuatu
As the Spring Festival approaches, north and east China are experiencing a surge in demand for traditional delicacies, including vinegar and intricately decorated steamed buns.
The Laba Festival, which falls on Jan 7, is just around the corner. In celebration, residents in Taiyuan City, capital of north China's Shanxi Province, flocked to a well-known vinegar shop to fill their containers with vinegar - a time-honored tradition marking the occasion.
The Laba Festival, literally the eighth day of the 12th month on the Chinese lunar calendar, is considered a prelude to the Spring Festival, or Chinese New Year.
As a longstanding custom during the festival, locals bring their own containers, mainly large buckets and jars, to fill with freshly made vinegar.
"The tradition of preparing vinegar for the Laba Festival has been passed down through generations. Folks here love buying the freshly made, time-honored brands, because the hot vinegar tastes especially good," said Liu Xiaojing, a staff member at a local vinegar company.
"The vinegar is still hot. I can still feel the warmth. This is an old brand, and I've been eating it since I was a child. It has a long history," said Huo Yanzhen, a local resident.
Steamed buns with colorful patterns are also experiencing a surge in sales in Qingdao City of east China's Shandong Province. These creative buns, a must-have for many families in the area, are flying off the shelves as shops ramp up both online and offline efforts, stocking up to meet the demand of the pre-festival sales boom.
At a local steamed bun shop, workers were busy preparing 3,000 kilograms of fish-shaped buns. These buns are particularly popular during this time of year, as fish symbolize good fortune and wealth in Chinese culture.
"Sales have definitely picked up since New Year's Day. We're selling about 2,000 to 3,000 jin (about 1,000 to 1,500 kilograms) daily, and we expect to sell nearly 100,000 jin (about 50,000 kilograms) over the next month," said Lu Haiyan, the shop owner.
"Older people nowadays don't like food that are too sweet. They prefer traditional Chinese pastries like these, which are made with healthy ingredients. They're good for the body, so we prefer them," said a local resident.
In addition to the offline sales, the shop has embraced online marketing, posting short videos of their decorative buns on social media platforms.
The Spring Festival, or Chinese Lunar New Year, falls on Jan. 29 this year and the Spring Festival holiday will last until Feb. 4. It is China's most important festival and an occasion for family reunion.
Sales of traditional delicacies surge ahead of Spring Festival
