China sends second batch of relief materials to Haiti

BEIJING, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- A second batch of relief materials donated by the Chinese government departed for quake-hit Haiti Tuesday.

A chartered Boeing 747-400 carrying the materials left Beijing Capital International Airport at 12:52 p.m. and was expected to arrive at Haiti at 8:15 a.m. Wednesday, said the Ministry of Commerce.

The relief materials weighed 65 tonnes and were worth 12 million yuan (1.76 million U.S. dollars).

They include 400 portable power generators, 10 water purifying machines, 500 tents, 20,000 items of clothing, medicines and other goods needed by local people.

The Chinese government had pledged 30 million yuan of relief materials for Haiti and had sent two batches worth 25 million yuan on Jan. 16 and Jan. 26, said Yu Yingfu, an official with the MOC Department of Aid to Foreign Countries.

Other materials would be arranged as flights to Haiti were permitted, Yu said.

China would continue to watch developments in Haiti and join with the international communities to provide relief, Yu said.