Members of the Chinese community in Myanmar have been swiftly mobilized to assist in search and rescue operations following the devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck the country on Friday.
As of Saturday night local time, the earthquake had claimed the lives of 1,644 people, injured 3,408 others, and left another 139 people accounted for, according to Myanmar's Information Team of the State Administration Council.
"We are deeply saddened by the deadly earthquake in Myanmar and wish to contribute our part to the relief efforts. All the Chinese people in Myanmar are going all out setting up WeChat groups to spread the word and come together to provide aid," said Yang Dexian, a Chinese descendant in Myanmar, in an interview with China Central Television at Yangon International Airport, while en route to the affected areas to assist with the relief operations.
At the request of the Myanmar government, several Chinese rescue teams arrived at the airport on Saturday to join other international teams in the relief efforts.
The quake's epicenter was just 20 kilometers from Mandalay, Myanmar's second largest city. As a result, the Mandalay International Airport sustained significant damage, halting both domestic and international flights. Roads leading to the city also suffered heavy damage.
In Nay Pyi Taw, the country's capital, several hospitals saw their buildings damaged or collapsed, and the affected areas are grappling with critical shortages of blood, drinking water, and essential supplies for evacuees. Local authorities are coordinating efforts across multiple departments to accelerate search and rescue operations and the delivery of vital supplies, concentrating all resources on aiding those in need.
In response to the crisis, the Myanmar government declared a state of emergency in six of the most severely affected areas, including Nay Pyi Taw and Sagaing.
Chinese community in Myanmar joins in quake relief efforts
Chinese community in Myanmar joins in quake relief efforts
The mainland will never tolerate any Taiwan secessionist activities and will deal a strong blow to Lai Ching-te's rampant provocative behaviors, said a China Media Group (CMG) commentary on Tuesday.
The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command on Tuesday started to conduct joint exercises around the Taiwan Island, with army, navy, air and rocket forces closing in on the island from multiple directions, said Senior Colonel Shi Yi, spokesman for the theater command.
Shi said the drills serve as a stern warning and forceful deterrent against separatist forces seeking "Taiwan secession", and are a legitimate and necessary action to safeguard China's sovereignty and national unity.
On the same day, Zhu Fenglian, spokeswoman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said the exercises serve as a resolute punishment for Lai Ching-te authorities' blatant "Taiwan secession" provocations, and a necessary action to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The PLA is taking thunderous actions to sternly warn Lai Ching-te that "Taiwan secession" is a dead end, and seeking secession will only lead to self-destruction.
The exercises have shown that the PLA has more and more tools and means to target Taiwan separatists, with advanced fighters and vessels such as J-10, Y-20, Z-10, H-6K, J-20, and Type 054A frigate able to deafen and blind the separatist forces. Lai Ching-te's reckless moves will only result in his own crushing defeat in front of the impregnable fortress of the PLA's overwhelming strength.
As long as the "Taiwan secession" provocations continue, the PLA will never stop fighting. Every time Lai Ching-te takes rampant provocative action, the PLA will take a further step to advance its deterrence and punishment.
Lai Ching-te has recently blatantly defined the mainland as a "hostile force abroad" and put forward the so-called "Lai 17 Articles", inciting confrontations and undermining the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait. It is imperative to target and punish him for his arrogant attitude and rampant behaviors to seek secession.
The PLA drills, in which multiple ships and aircraft will get close to the Taiwan Island, and conduct sea-air combat-readiness patrols, joint seizure of comprehensive control, assault on maritime and ground targets, and blockade of key areas and sea lanes, are aimed at completely shattering Lai Ching-te authorities' fantasy of seeking "Taiwan secession" by force with foreign support, making it unable to bluff and deceive the people on the island.
Taiwan belongs to all the Chinese people. The PLA is always ready for fighting, can fight at any time, and will win if it fights. It aims to target Taiwan secessionist activities, by no means the ordinary Taiwan compatriots.
It is hoped that the compatriots in Taiwan will stand on the right side of history and work with their compatriots on the mainland to firmly oppose Taiwan secessionist forces and external interference, protect the common home of the Chinese nation, and create a bright future of national reunification and rejuvenation.
Mainland never tolerate any Taiwan secessionist activities
