China is ready to send med team to Philippines

Chinese hospital ship Peace Ark arrives at Thilawa Port in Yangon, Myanmar, Aug 28, 2013, as part of an overseas voyage to provide medical services to local residents. China has also offered to send its hospital ship, the Peace Ark, to the country's areas hardly ravaged by Typhoon Haiyan, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei.[Photo/Xinhua]

The first batch of China's emergency medical assistance team to the Philippines will set off on Wednesday for disaster relief, said a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman.

China has also offered to send its hospital ship, the Peace Ark, to the country's areas hardly ravaged by Typhoon Haiyan, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei. The 300-bed ship would be sent as soon as possible, once the Philippines gives the green light.

Emergency humanitarian relief such as tents and blankets provided by China have arrived and been handed over to the Philippines on Monday and Tuesday, said Hong.

Hong said China is keeping a close watch on the typhoon disaster in the Philippines and would like to follow the spirit of healing the wounded and rescuing the dying and send the rescuers for humanitarian medical assistances.

The death toll claimed by Typhoon Haiyan has increased to 3,982, according the Philippine government on Tuesday. The number of injured also rose to 18,267 and 1,602 more remain missing, said the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council of the Phillipines.