Foreign Aid Pouring In For China Quake Victims

Beijing, China (AHN) - The international community is reaching deep into its pockets to extend assistance to victims of China's killer quake. As of Tuesday, state television reported The Red Cross in China has received over $9.3 million in donations from international governments, companies, and organizations -- with millions more expected to arrive.

According to Bloomberg, the corporate donors include Intel Corp., Carrefour SA, Toyota Motor Corp. and Bank of Communications Ltd., which have either sent or pledged funds to aid rescue work.

Kyodo News said Japan's Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura has pledged a $5 million-donation to China's recovery efforts.

At the same time,Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has sent a message of solace to Chinese President Hu Jintao over the disastrous earthquake and offered humanitarian aid.

"The Russian Emergencies Ministry is preparing a plane with rescuers and humanitarian aid for China," Russia's Interfax news agency cited a spokesperson of the ministry as saying.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang told Bloomberg that China will ``welcome help and assistance from the international community,''adding that relief authorities "are ready to make contact with relevant countries and organizations."

Earlier, Bloomberg said Air China Ltd.,the world's biggest airline by market value, offered three planes to assist in relief work in cities hit by the killer earthquake.

China Eastern Airlines Corp., the nation's number 3 airline, also allocated seven planes to transport doctors and supplies to the area, while China Southern Airlines Co. has given up four of its aircraft to fly rescue workers and materials.

China's central government has distributed $52.17 million in relief funds to the disaster-hit areas on May 12 and 13.