The Pakistan Embassy in Beijing raised more than 300,000 yuan (US$43,183) through a fund-raising bazaar in Beijing on Saturday, as part of efforts to contribute to the relief for the May 12 earthquake survivors in southwest China.

The bazaar included Pakistani food and beverage stalls, handicrafts, henna art and toys for children. The capital's Pakistani community, including businessmen, students and media, as well as Chinese officials, business representatives, scholars and members of the diplomatic corps, attended.

Abdul Salik Khan, Charge d'Affaires of the Pakistan Embassy, reaffirmed the sentiments of sympathy, support and solidarity by Pakistanis and leadership for the people of China at this hour of trial.

Yang Jian, a representative of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, expressed gratitude on behalf of the government and people of China to the Government of Pakistan for extending relief assistance, and to the Pakistan Embassy for holding the fund-raiser.

She thanked Pakistan for providing tents, and termed it a genuine expression of the all-weather Pakistan-China friendship.

The gathering observed a minute of silence and lit candles in remembrance of those who had lost their lives in the quake.

The money, which was raised through sales from the bazaar, donations and pledges, will be sent to the quake-hit area through the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

Pakistan has provided 22,260 tents, a mobile field hospital and some other relief supplies to the quake-hit zone. A Pakistani medical team was also deployed for the relief work.

(Xinhua News Agency June 1, 2008)