The Indian community in Hong Kong gave an initial donation of 700,000 HK dollars (US$89,743) for earthquake relief efforts in China's southwest on Tuesday, the Council of Hong Kong Indian Associations said.

Raj Sital, president of the Council of Hong Kong Indian Associations, and L.D. Ralte, Consul General of India in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), visited the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in Hong Kong Tuesday.

"Members of the Hong Kong Indian community are deeply saddened by the loss of lives and properties as a result of the unfortunate earthquake in Sichuan Province," Sital said in a statement after presenting the cheque to the Commissioner Lu Xinhua.

"We are confident that the nation will overcome this calamity and are prepared to offer any assistance required for the mammoth relief efforts," he said.

The Indian community in Hong Kong has embarked on various fund-raising campaigns and will continue to donate funds to the relief and rehabilitation efforts.

(Xinhua News Agency May 28, 2008)