Members of China's democratic parties, people without party affiliation, religious personnel, business owners and overseas Chinese had donated nearly 8 billion yuan (US$1.14 billion) to quake-affected areas by the end of last month.

The figure reflects preliminary statistics from the United Front Work Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.

Du Qinglin, head of the department, received Sun Yinhuan, chairman of the Yida Group, on Tuesday, expressing gratitude for the group's 30 million yuan donation for reconstruction.

Huang Yuejin, the department's deputy director, told a ceremony that the donations displayed the Chinese spirit of unity and cohesion, which boosted the nation's confidence in overcoming hardships.

As of Tuesday noon, domestic and foreign donations had reached 42.36 billion yuan, up 620 million yuan from the previous day, according to the State Council Information Office.

So far, 12.1 billion yuan, in cash and relief materials, had been forwarded to the earthquake-affected areas, the office said.

(Xinhua News Agency June 4, 2008)