Ukraine on Tuesday sent its first batch of humanitarian aid to China following the devastating earthquake in the country's southwest on May 12, which has claimed more than 40,000 lives.

An Il-76 transport aircraft took off from the Ukrainian capital of Kiev Tuesday evening, carrying about 25 tons of aid to China, an official from the Ukrainian Emergencies Ministry told Xinhua at Boryspol airport.

The plane was carrying tents, blankets, quilts, medical equipment and instruments, all urgently needed in the quake-hit Sichuan Province.

The second batch will be sent on May 22.

(Xinhua News Agency May 21, 2008)