Chinese President Hu Jintao has sent a letter of condolences to his Philippine counterpart Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for the flood and landslide hitting central and southern parts of the Philippines, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Monday.  

In the letter of condolences, Hu, on behalf of the Chinese government and people, expressed sympathy and solicitude for Arroyo, the Philippine government and people as well as relatives of the victims of the mishaps.

He also expressed the belief that people in the affected areas will be able to overcome the current difficulty and rebuild their homeland under the leadership of President Arroyo.

The confirmed death toll from the massive landslides in the central Philippine province of Southern Leyte has risen to 161 from the early reported 89.

Meanwhile, 22 have been confirmed dead after a weekend flash flood hit the southern province of Surigo del Norte, which is separated only by a narrow strait from Southern Leyte.

(Xinhua News Agency December 23, 2003)