The People's Liberation Army (PLA) and the armed police force have so far donated 41.5 million yuan (US$6.1 million) to Zhouqu County in northwest China which was devastated by a massive mudslide.

The donations came from the military's general headquarters and departments, arms, services, military area commands and educational institutions, said a statement from the military on Wednesday.

Among the contributors, the PLA Air Force and the Lanzhou Military Area Command donated five million yuan, respectively, while the the Guangzhou Military Area Command contributed four million yuan.

While racing against time to save survivors at Zhouqu, many of those soldiers participating in rescue work also donated money and supplies to help the survivors.

(Xinhua News Agency August 19, 2010)