China will send nearly 10 million yuan ($1.64 million) worth of aid to the Philippines for the Typhoon Haiyan disaster relief effort, reported the Wall Street Journal on Thursday, after the government changed its mind of pledging just $100,000 initially.

According to WSJ, Chinese President Xi Jinping called up Filipino leader Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday to offer his "heart sympathies" and "profound condolences"; and made the new pledge for an increased amount of relief supplies.

Originally, Beijing had offered $100,000 in aid through the state-controlled Red Cross Society of China, compared to the $20 million offered by the U.S., $16 million from the U.K. and $10 million from Japan.

WSJ noted that bilateral relations between the two nations had been frayed over the past year, as a result of a territorial dispute over bits of rocks in the South China Sea.

Nevertheless, most analysts had questioned China's initial contribution, bemoaning that the government was unable to put humanitarian needs over politics.

"People assume that the world sets aside its political wrangling and help each other out at times of disaster," said Dr Lucy Easthope, a disaster-management specialist at the University of Lincoln, to The Independent. "It isn't like that at all. It almost always comes with strings attached. It's hugely political."

"The Chinese leadership has missed an opportunity to show its magnanimity," added Joseph Cheng, a political science professor at the City University of Hong Kong, to Reuters, before China increased its relief funds.

"While still offering aid to the typhoon victims, it certainly reflects the unsatisfactory state of relations (with Manila)," he said.

Even the state-owned Global Times questioned the government's initial decision in an editorial on Wednesday.

"China, as a responsible power, should participate in relief operations to assist a disaster-stricken neighbouring country, no matter whether it's friendly or not," the Global Times wrote.

"China's international image is of vital importance to its interests. If it snubs Manila this time, China will suffer great losses," the paper added.

Other Chinese were not as convinced. On the social media service Weibo, many accused the Philippines of not showing enough appreciation.

"Our country is also suffering from the same natural disaster, but we still offered help to you [in the Philippines]," wrote one user, as quoted by Time.

"If you do not appreciate our help, give back our money," another opined.

"Since the Philippine government has the budget to purchase American weapons, they should not want for money," added another.

Some 10,000 Filipinos are believed to have perished in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan. About 600,000 people also said to have been made homeless from the storm, while at least 20,000 people are missing.

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