China helps tsunami-hit nations

cctv.com 01-22-2005 10:33

China has so far pledged a total of about one billion yuan, or 120 million US dollars in tsunami relief aid. The government says half of this aid has already reached those in need.

Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei released the figure on Friday, saying that about a third of the money came from non-government sources.

He said: "We have donated some one billion yuan to help in rescue and reconstruction efforts. This shows the Chinese government and people care about the tsunami-hit countries."

The vice foreign minister said the aid is being distributed according to specific needs. He said China has dispatched rescue teams, including medical squads and DNA experts to Indonesia, Thailand, and Sri Lanka.

Wu said China would continue to provide multiple forms of assistance. And he said next week Beijing would host a China-ASEAN seminar on establishing a joint tsunami alert system in the Indian Ocean.

Editor:Xiang Jing  Source:CCTV.com