(Recast) China takes lead in providing aid to Fiji after severe tropical cyclone Winston struck

China on Monday provided emergency humanitarian aid of 100,000 U.S. dollars to the Fiji Red Cross Society, becoming the first country to do so in the aftermath of severe tropical cyclone Winston that has claimed at least 20 lives, the Fiji Red Cross Society's top official said.

While handing over the emergency humanitarian aid to Cathy Wong, national president of the Fiji Red Cross Society, Gu Yu, charge d'affaires of the Chinese embassy in Fiji said China sympathizes with the Fijian people on their sufferings and will do the utmost to help the Fijian people rebuild their homes.

The Chinese embassy is in close connection with relevant departments of the Fijian government for disaster situation updates, Gu said, adding that China is willing to continue to provide humanitarian aid to Fiji and actively participate in its reconstruction.

Expressing heartfelt gratitude for the "timely donation" by the Red Cross Society of China, Wong said China is the first country to donate to the Fiji Red Cross Society.

The Fiji Red Cross Society will make effective use of the aid in disaster relief and reconstruction, said Wong.

Winston, a category 5 tropical cyclone -- the highest possible level -- swept through Fiji between the Pacific island country's main island of Viti Levu and northern island of Vanua Levu with wind gusts of over 320 kilometers per hour, tearing roofs, uprooting trees and cutting power supply as well as communications.

Fiji has declared a state of natural disaster for a period of 30 days.

At least 20 people lost their lives as a result of the severe tropical cyclone, authorities announced Monday.

China's Ministry of Commerce has declared that it is working on a plan to provide emergency humanitarian assistance to Fiji. Endit