Typhoon Haiyan: China Pledges $100,000 Aid

China has risked further straining its fragile relations with the Philippines by donating $100,000 (£63,000) to the Typhoon Haiyan relief effort.

The donation is matched by $100,000 from the Chinese Red Cross - but is still dwarfed by the effort from other countries seeking to exert influence in South East Asia, including the US and Japan.

Diplomatic links between Beijing and Manila have suffered in recent years due to China's claims over the disputed South China Sea and a 2010 Hong Kong tour bus hostage crisis in the Filipino capital.

One of China's state-run newspapers has criticised the donation but comments on Sina Weibo, China's version of Twitter, suggest public opinion may be against giving more.

The Global Times, known for its nationalistic and often hawkish editorial views, expressed concern about the impact on Beijing's international standing.

"China, as a responsible power, should participate in relief operations to assist a disaster-stricken neighbouring country, no matter whether it's friendly or not," the paper said in a commentary.

"China's international image is of vital importance to its interests. If it snubs Manila this time, China will suffer great losses."

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said China would consider more aid as the situation developed, but did not say why Beijing had offered less than other countries.

He said: "China has also suffered from the disaster, so we very much understand and sympathise with the current hardships that the Philippine people are facing."

The storm claimed the lives of at least seven people and caused $734m (£462m) in economic losses when the much-weakened storm swept through China's southern provinces.

Comments on Sina Weibo overwhelmingly opposed China giving aid to the Philippines.

A botched attempt to free tourists from a bus in 2010 strained relations

One user wrote: "For God's sake, give them nothing. We've given them enough in the past."

Lye Liang Fook of the East Asian Institute in Singapore said it was impossible to separate China's anger over territorial claims from the question of disaster relief.

He said: "Politically there is a lack of trust, and under the circumstances, the fact that China is willing to extend aid is quite significant. The two issues are linked to each other."

Joseph Cheng, a political science professor at Hong Kong's City University, said public sentiment would factor into China's decision.

He said: "I certainly think that relief and aid for natural disasters should not be affected by political relations. But the Chinese authorities are handicapped by domestic nationalist feelings as well.

"China should have used the opportunity to improve its image."

Super Typhoon Haiyan tore through the central Philippines on Friday and flattened the city of Tacloban, where officials fear up to 10,000 people could have died.

Officials fear the toll could rise as rescuers reach more isolated towns.

Overwhelmed by the scale of the disaster, the Philippines has sought international assistance.

The US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier the USS George Washington, carrying about 5,000 sailors and more than 80 aircraft, will arrive this week after setting sail from Hong Kong on Tuesday.

It has been joined by four other US Navy ships.

The United States is also providing $20m (£12.5m) in immediate aid, while the UK has committed £15m and sent a Royal Navy warship to the region.

Japan said it will give $10m (£6.3m) and send a small number of soldiers and medical personnel, while Australia has donated $9.6m (£6m).

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