State media defend China's meagre aid for Philippine typhoon victims
Territorial tensions and US motives in region cited among the justifications for China's meagre aid for storm-hit Philippines
Beijing's initial US$200,000 donation to the typhoon-ravaged Philippines fell far short of both China's economic clout and its ambitions to be a major world player.
Some in the international media saw the meagre donation as a needless slight to a suffering rival - even if Manila has been sparring with Beijing over the sovereignty of the Scarborough Shoal. Typhoon Haiyan killed more than 3,600 Filipinos.
Critics questioned whether China was ready to share the world stage with players such as Australia, Japan and the United States, which pledged US$28 million, US$10 million and US$20 million, respectively.
The US, which has been rebuilding its military ties with the Philippines amid regional territorial disputes, sent an aircraft carrier group to aid in relief efforts.
Faced with the obvious discrepancy in aid, most of the state-controlled Chinese media sprung to the administration's defence. Outlets argued that China's contribution, which included US$100,000 from the Red Cross Society of China, was sufficient in light of the current diplomatic tensions and its ability to divert resources overseas while coping with big problems at home.
