China, West rush tsunami relief supplies to tsunami-hit Tonga

People stand onboard the HMAS Adelaide sailing into the port of Nuku'alofa as it carries disaster relief, after a volcanic eruption and tsunami devastated the South Pacific archipelago, on Tongatapu island, Tonga, January 26, 2022. Courtesy of Cpl Robert Whitmore/Australian Department Of Defence/Handout via REUTERS

Chinese naval vessels carrying aid are set to arrive in Tonga on Thursday as Beijing shored up its disaster response efforts in the tsunami-hit Pacific nation following a coordinated response by its Western rivals.

A navy vessel carrying drinking water and food will arrive from Fiji on Thursday, while two military aircraft will also deliver 33 tonnes of emergency supplies including drinking water, food, tents, and walkie talkies, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said at a briefing late on Wednesday.