Singapore on Wednesday announced it will donate US$200,000 to the Chinese government in response to an appeal for foreign aid for the Sichuan earthquake victims.

"The earthquake and aftershocks in Sichuan and other parts of southwest China have caused extensive damage, injury and loss of lives. In response to an appeal for foreign aid, the Singapore government will make a humanitarian contribution of US$200,000 to the People's Republic of China government," said a statement from Singapore's Foreign Ministry.

Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Tuesday sent a condolence letter to Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, saying "Singapore stands ready to help in any way possible", including sending its Disaster Assistance Rescue Teams, if China thinks they will be useful to its recovery work.

Several Chinese communities in Singapore have also started to raise donations. The Tian fu Club, an association in Singapore for Sichuanese immigrants, has already collected more than US$70,000.

(Xinhua News Agency May 14, 2008)