The Chinese government on Thursday donated US$1 million in cash to the government of Pakistan for earthquake relief.

At a signing ceremony held in Islamabad for the handing over of the cheque, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Zhang Chunxiang said China is willing to make utmost efforts to help Pakistan overcome the difficulties.

Signing the cheque on behalf of the Chinese government, Zhang expressed confidence that the people of Pakistan, under the leadership of the government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and with the help from the international community, are sure to win this battle over the natural disaster and rebuild their homes soon.

Zhang said the leaders, the government and the people of China have been gravely concerned over this severe disaster ever since the massive earthquake hit Pakistan last Saturday.

The Chinese government has pledged immediately after the earthquake US$6.2 million of humanitarian aid to Pakistan, including cash and aid supplies, said Zhang.

The Chinese government has also dispatched a 49-member rescue team to quake-hit areas and four batches of aid supplies have reached on chartered flights to Pakistan with more to come, he added.

Zhang and Ejaz Rahim, secretary of the Cabinet Division, signed on behalf of their respective governments.

Also at the ceremony, Zhang, on behalf of Red Cross Society of China, handed over a cheque of US$100,000 to Pakistan Red Crescent Society.

The 7.6-magnitude earthquake has claimed a confirmed death toll of more than 25,000 in Pakistan so far.

(Xinhua News Agency October 14, 2005)