Hu pays respects at Japanese Embassy

Mr. Hu’s visit on Friday underscores the sympathy many Chinese have shown over Japan’s tragedy despite often prickly relations between the two countries.

Chinese President Hu Jintao. File photo: AP.

State media is reporting that Chinese President Hu Jintao visited the Japanese Embassy in Beijing to pay his respects to the victims of last week’s earthquake and tsunami.

Mr. Hu’s visit on Friday underscores the sympathy many Chinese have shown over Japan’s tragedy despite often prickly relations between the two countries.

China is shipping 20,000 tons of fuel to help Japan with shortages and has pledged $4.5 million worth of blankets, tents, emergency lighting and other humanitarian assistance to the country. A 15—member Chinese rescue team has also been dispatched to help in the search for survivors.