The Australian government will provide further assistance worth 1 million Australian dollars (about US$950,000) to help quake rescue and recovery efforts.

The relief materials, which were scheduled to arrive at Chengdu, capital of quake-hit Sichuan Province, Friday afternoon, include specialist cutting and lifting equipment, generators, blankets, tarpaulins, jerry cans and water tanks to assist survivors in affected areas, according to the Ministry of Commerce (MOC).

MOC Vice Minister Yi Xiaozhun met with Australian Ambassador to China Geoffrey William Raby Friday morning and accepted the contribution list.

This additional relief package follows Australia's initial offer of 1 million Australian dollars through the International Federation of the Red Cross provided on May 12.

As of 10:00 AM Friday, international organizations and foreign countries, via international aid channels, had offered US$20.55 million of emergency aid to China's quake region through the coordination of the MOC.

(Xinhua News Agency May 23, 2008)