More Chinese supplies heading for quake-hit Syria
China sent the second batch of supplies to earthquake-hit areas of Syria and has asked Chinese rescue teams that have not left for disaster zones in Turkey and Syria to cancel trips in order to ease the burden on rescue operations. The China Association for Disaster Prevention on Saturday called on Chinese rescue teams to cancel or suspend their trips to not increase the burden on hard-hit areas, and avoid risks due to inclement weather. Cotton tents, family kits, jackets and other daily necessities, as well as medical supplies, were being provided to Syria by the Red Cross Society of China, CCTV reported on Monday. China has already committed financial aid to Turkey and Syria, and has sent a number of rescue teams from several parts of the country, including 82 members dispatched by the Chinese government, as the death toll tops 33,000. China's 53 tonnes of tents to aid Turkey have arrived in Istanbul, CCTV said on late Sunday.  Beijing has said more emergency aid is planned in the near future. Shipped on large cargo planes, according to video from CCTV, the tents will help aid in relief operations as rescues continue. The first batch of supplies from China's government, 40,000 blankets, arrived in Istanbul on Saturday, according to CCTV.  The country is planning to send more medical equipment, including electrocardiogram machines, ultrasound diagnostic instrument, and medical vehicles and hospital beds, CCTV said. (Reuters)