Chinese Ministry of Civil Affairs (MCA) encouraged Chinese citizens and non-governmental organizations to donate to the tsunami-hit Asian countries Saturday.

After earthquakes and tsunamis devastated southeast Asian countries in the Indian Ocean on Dec. 26, Chinese people from all walks of life and non-governmental organizations across the country have rushed to offer help, according to an emergency notice released by the MCA on Saturday.

So far, the Red Cross Society of China (RCSC) has transferred US$660,000 to the disaster-stricken regions, and another 20 million yuan (US$24.2) will come soon, said Shi Jiefang, Director of RCSC Relief and Health Department, on Saturday.

China Charity Federation (CCF) and other grassroots NGOs also started various emergency campaigns to secure donations from the Chinese people, enterprises and institutions, who have voiced a strong wish to help the tsunami-hit regions on the online Bulletin boards and in letters to Chinese media.

In order to make sure the grassroots donations more organized and to reach the needy effectively, a special office has been established Saturday in MCA with vice Minister Jia Zhibang as the director to coordinate grassroots donation works and inform the public of progresses in the regard.

RCSC, CCF and their local operations as well as civil affairs departments at various levels will be responsible for receiving donations. Other donation-collecting organizations should pass on the money they collect to the above designated bodies, said the notice.

The document also stressed the all donations should be made willingly.

Considering situations in the disaster-hit regions, only monetary aid are received and materials will be declined.

According to the notice, RCSC and CCF networks should count donations and report results to the MCA before 3:00 PM on a daily basis and MCA be responsible for informing the public of the overall donation statistics since Jan. 4, said MCA official Zou Ming.

The MCA also vows to tighten control on collection and channeling of grassroots donations according to the Chinese law and regulations as well as invite media and public supervision on relevant works. Illegal collection or misuse of donations will be punished severely, said the notice.

RCSC and CCF also publicized their donation-receiving accounts in both Renminbi and foreign currencies Saturday.

Donors may access the Renminbi accounts set by the two charity organizations with Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), numbered 0200001009014413252 (RCSC) and 0200002809014450409 (CCF) respectively. Donations in foreign currencies should be transferred to RCSC's account with CITIC Industrial Bank (No. 7112111482600000209) and CCF's account with Bank of China (No. 00914908241014).

People can also contact RCSC and CCF for donation issues at 86-10-65139999 and 86-10-66083191 respectively. 

(Xinhua News Agency January 1, 2005)