China to send further aid to Vanuatu

Further aid will be offered to Vanuatu in the coming days, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Saturday.

Spokesperson Hong Lei made the remarks when introducing China's latest round of assistance to the South Pacific island nation.

According to Hong, the first batch of relief supplies, including 260 tents, had been sent to Vanuatu by charter flight on Saturday afternoon. It is expected to arrive at Port Vila International Airport on Sunday afternoon local time.

Hong said the government would provide 30 million yuan (4.87 million U.S. dollars) of relief supplies including food, water, tents and generators to Vanuatu.

The government will do its best to help Vanuatu overcome difficulties and rebuild, Hong said.

Tropical cyclone Pam tore through Vanuatu last week, claiming at least 24 lives. The Vanuatu government has declared a state of emergency in parts of the country.