US Department of Defense Sends Relief to Cold-Afflicted China

WORST COLD IN 50 YEARS HAS STRICKEN CHINA

I recently traveled to China and commented on how unseasonably cold it was. Shortly after my departure a few weeks ago, it got so cold as to cripple China's infrastructure significantly.

US MILITARY SENDS NEARLY $1 MILLION IN RELIEF GOODS TO CHINA

According to a report in the New China News Agency, a ship arrived in Shanghai last Friday carrying approximately $820,000 worth of relief goods such as coats, blankets and military rations. The US Department of Defense is credited with providing this shipment of relief materials, which has been passed from China's National Defense Ministry to a local Shanghai government entity for distribution to cold weather victims.

According to reports elsewhere, as many estimated 233,000 homes have been destroyed by heavy snow and ice, and at least 1.8 million Chinese citizens have been evacuated to shelter as a result of other cold-related hardships.

COLD HITS WITH BAD TIMING

This round of bad weather strikes at absolutely the worst time, as literally millions of Chinese citizens travel home during the Chinese New Year (also called Spring Festival).

In addition to this bad timing, China's many problems associated with the cold is further exacerbated by heightened demands on China's power grids, many of which have failed as people have literally turned up the switch for heating appliances requiring high volumes of power normally not needed during this time of year.

Additionally, the power under demand is typically provided by coal-fired power plants, many of which may be understaffed while many coal workers are absent in their annual migration home.

China braces for more tough times ahead as the cold continues unabated.

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