A charter flight carrying disaster relief and aid from the Chinese government arrives at Damascus International Airport in Syria on February 15, 2023, before being transferred to the quake-hit regions of the country. Photo: VCG

After a strong earthquake hit Turkey's southern region near the Syrian border, China quickly provided emergency humanitarian aid to the Syrian side. Mhd Ziad Zaitoun, a spokesman of the Syrian Embassy in China, expressed his gratitude to China for its civil and official assistance.

Zaitoun emphasized that China responded positively, not only by donating money and large amounts of supplies, but also by sending several Chinese rescue teams to Syria. As of February 18, 150 planes loaded with assistance materials landed at Syrian airports. Among them, China sent three planes. 

"Syria will launch a comprehensive post-earthquake reconstruction plan," he added.