Xi sends condolences for Philippines' people after typhoon tragedy

President Xi Jinping sent a condolence message to the Philippines' President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday for the victims of the powerful typhoon that affected hundreds of thousands of people.

Mentioning that Typhoon Nock-Ten has caused casualties and economic losses, Xi expressed sincere condolences for the victims on behalf of the Chinese government and people.

As a friendly neighbor, China would like to offer emergency assistance for the typhoon-hit region, Xi said, adding that Chinese people are sad for the suffering of the Philippine people.

Xi said he believed that with the strong leadership of President Duterte, the Philippine people will win the battle against this natural disaster and rebuild their homes.

The powerful typhoon blew out of the northern Philippines last week after killing at least six people and displacing more than 380,000 people who had to abandon Christmas celebrations at home to reach emergency shelters and other safer grounds.

The typhoon cut power to five entire provinces due to toppled electric posts and trees, dimming Christmas revelries in Asia's largest Catholic nation. More than 300 flights were delayed or re-scheduled and ferries were barred from sailing, stranding more than 12,000 holiday travelers, according to a report from the Associated Press.

Six people died from drowning or by being pinned by fallen trees, poles and a collapsed concrete wall in the provinces of Quezon and Albay, southeast of Manila, after the typhoon made landfall in Catanduanes province Sunday night, officials said.

Nock-Ten, locally known as Nina, then blew westward across mountainous and island provinces, damaging homes, uprooting trees and knocking down communications.