The United States has provided more than US$23 million in aid to China following a devastating earthquake in China's southwestern Sichuan Province.

The White House, in anticipation of an appeal from the International Red Cross, has offered US$500,000 to the Chinese Red Cross. It also delivered disaster relief supplies valued nearly US$700,000 to the quake-hit regions.

The American Red Cross (ARC) donated 10 million dollars in aid to the people in the disaster-hit regions. And US enterprises by far have provided more than 12 million dollars in cash and goods to China.

The death toll from the 7.8-magnitude earthquake in Sichuan Province rose to 28,881 nationwide as of 2:00 PM (0600 GMT) Friday, while the rescue headquarters feared the ultimate figure might top 50,000.

(Xinhua News Agency May 18, 2008)