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In one of the more embarrassing showings of goodwill in the wake of Super Typhoon Haiyan, China initially pledged $100,000 of foreign aid to the Philippines, far less than even some private donors. After being shamed, the country with the world's second biggest economy increased their donation to an unimpressive (for global superpower) $1.6 million. Now there are whispers back home that Filipinos aren't being appreciative enough.
A an editorial appearing in the Southern Daily, the official communist newspaper of the Guangdong province (translated by the South China Morning Post) lashed out at Filipino for not graciously accepting China's help. "The Chinese government and people have never begrudged 'love' for the Philippines, but the Philippines is obviously not content or even appreciating China's 'love', only expecting 'more love' from China," it read. That's a little harsh to criticize a country where doctors are overwhelmed with horrible injuries, where hospitals don't even have basic supplies, and survivors are still starving.
China's paltry initial offering was the foreign aid equivalent of Mitt Romney leaving a penny in the tip jar, which is why they were goaded into upping their donation to $1.6 million. But when you look at what other big economies have given — the U.S.'s $20 million, Australia's $30 million, the U.K's $16 million and Japan's $10 million — that number is still pretty embarrassing. Even the Swedish furniture company IKEA has pitched in more, promising $2.7 million to the country. Coca-Cola promised $2.5 million too.
