Philippines donates $200,000 to China's quake victims

MANILA - The Philippine government on Friday donated $200,000 to victims of the earthquake that hit China's southwestern provinces of Yunnan and Guizhou.

The ceremonial handover of the donation was held during the courtesy call of Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Fu Ying on Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert F. del Rosario.

On Sept 7, two major earthquakes measuring 5.6 and 5.7 magnitude and several aftershocks hit Yunnan and Guizhou provinces in Southwest China, killing 80 people and injuring 800 others.

Thousands of people were evacuated and were in need of relocation. Direct economic losses from the tremors were estimated at more than $500 million.

Philippines Foreign Undersecretary for Policy Erlinda Basilio (L) greets China's Vice-Foreign Minister Fu Ying upon her arrival at the Department of Foreign Affairs headquarters in Manila, Oct 19, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]