Chinese volunteers channel relief material shipment to quake-hit Mandalay

Chinese expatriates and residents in Myanmar have volunteered to coordinate large-scale relief operations to communities affected by a devastating earthquake in Mandalay, the second largest city in the country.

The 7.9-magnitude quake, which struck central Myanmar on Friday, has left 1,700 killed, 3,400 injured and 300 missing, according to the Sunday statement from the country's State Administration Council.

Chinese nationals residing in Myanmar swiftly organized aid networks, establishing over a dozen volunteer groups and fund-raising channels to deliver critical supplies to hard-hit regions, including Mandalay.

Relief materials, including drinking water, food, and medical supplies, have been gathered in Yangon, another major city serving as the main hub for collecting donations. Local residents began donating these items on Saturday, with plans to transport them to disaster zones as early as Monday.

Many overseas Chinese living in Yangon drove more than 10 hours overnight to deliver supplies, such as antiseptics, gloves and N95 masks, to rescue teams in Mandalay. Many restaurants offered free meals to rescue workers.

The journey to Mandalay has been challenging due to severe damage to roads, with some routes taking more than 10 hours instead of the usual seven.

"Normally it takes seven or eight hours, but now it's a detour that could cost a dozen hours. We didn't suffer big loss. We just do some delivery errands, the least we can contribute. Others have made relatively great contributions. We didn't help much. What's important is to get the supplies there in time," said Li Chengyuan, head of a Rangoon-based logistics company.

Despite the logistical hurdles, the Yangon market remains well-stocked, allowing for the procurement of necessary items at normal prices.

Nevertheless, essential services such as power supply and communications in disaster-hit areas like Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw have not yet returned to normal, complicating rescue efforts further.

Large rescue machinery is still struggling to enter disaster-hit areas due to the poor road condition between Yangon and Mandalay.

Relief supplies were rushed to the earthquake-stricken areas. On Saturday, China's Yunnan Province launched an emergency response mechanism to prepare tents, blankets, foldable beds and other relief supplies, with the first batch of supplies arriving in Myanmar on Saturday by air.

Chinese volunteers channel relief material shipment to quake-hit Mandalay

Chinese volunteers channel relief material shipment to quake-hit Mandalay

Chinese volunteers channel relief material shipment to quake-hit Mandalay

Chinese volunteers channel relief material shipment to quake-hit Mandalay

Chinese volunteers channel relief material shipment to quake-hit Mandalay

Chinese volunteers channel relief material shipment to quake-hit Mandalay

A spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense on Wednesday said that the latest multi-subject drills conducted by the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) in waters around the Taiwan Island are completely legitimate, necessary and reasonable.

Zhang Xiaogang made the remarks in response to a relevant query.

The PLA Eastern Theater Command on Tuesday conducted multi-subject drills in waters to the north, south, and east of Taiwan Island.

On Wednesday, the Shandong aircraft carrier task group was deployed to simulate strikes on ground and maritime targets in areas to the east of the island.

In his remarks, Zhang condemned the Taiwan authorities led by Lai Ching-te for recklessly carrying out provocative actions to seek "Taiwan independence," and escalating tensions between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait.

The PLA's drills demonstrated the determination and will to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, serving as a strong deterrent to separatists who intentionally instigate conflicts, Zhang said.

Noting that "Taiwan independence" and peace in the Strait are as irreconcilable as fire and water, Zhang said that those who play with fire will eventually get themselves burned.

Zhang noted that the more provocations they make, the faster they will meet their demise.

The spokesperson also said that certain countries -- if they truly wish for peace and stability in the Strait -- must adhere to the one-China principle and stop sending wrong signals to the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces.

The PLA will continue to intensify military training and preparedness, enhance its real combat capabilities to counter secessionist attempts and foreign interference, resolutely crush all "Taiwan independence" separatist activities, and firmly advance the process of China's national reunification, Zhang said.

PLA's drills around Taiwan legitimate, necessary, reasonable: defense spokesperson

PLA's drills around Taiwan legitimate, necessary, reasonable: defense spokesperson