Beijing: Pakistan Tuesday defended China`s
contribution to its flood relief and said it is unfair for any
country to ask Islamabad`s "all weather friend" to do more, in
an appararent reference to US envoy Richard Holbrooke`s
prodding that Beijing should step up the aid.
Islamabad`s Ambassador to Beijing, Masood Khan, said
China was one of the first countries to respond to the needs
of Pakistan`s flood-hit areas, and asserted that no
intercession was needed between the two countries.
"China was one the first countries to respond to the
relief needs of Pakistan when it was hit by the worst floods
in 81 years. China moved with speed," Khan told China`s
state-run news agency Xinhua.
China has increased its flood aid to Pakistan from USD
1.5 million to about USD 10 million, and has sent tents,
sludge cleaning and water purifying equipment, generators,
blankets, food, bottled water, and medicines.
"It is not fair for any country or any person to make
oblique references to China`s relief assistance to Pakistan or
to urge China to do more," Khan said.
The US last week increased its flood aid to Pakistan
to USD 150 million and also called on China, a key ally of
Pakistan, to do more.
"I think the Chinese should step up to the plate," US
Special Representative to Af-Pak Richard Holbrooke, had said.
Khan said asking China to do more is like "pushing at
an open door".
"China and Pakistan have the strongest of relations
and we can get in touch with each other in an instant. No
intercession is needed," Khan said.
He said Pakistan was briefing the Chinese government
on the floods situation at all levels, and "China keeps
responding".
He said his country had requested for provision of
equipment, prefabricated bridges and China was preparing a
fresh consignment to be sent.
State-run Global Times hit out at the US, and said
the high-profile surge of financial assistance to Pakistan at
this time makes one wonder if there was "any ulterior motive
under the surface".
"While proudly pledging to increase aid from USD 60
million to USD 150 million, some US politicians point their
fingers at other countries, especially China, dismissing its
Pakistani aid package of about USD 9 million as a pittance," a
write up in the newspaper said.
"Some Western media outlets have even listed countries
by the monetary value of their financial aid packages, as if
it were a contest.
It said that the US has been largely increasing its
aid to Pakistan in recent years but the sad fact remains that
not many Pakistani people love America.
PTI
