Tents were still in great demand in China's quake-hit areas, the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said on Wednesday.

The 8.0-magnitude earthquake, centered in Wenchuan County, Sichuan Province, had claimed 69,122 lives as of Wednesday noon. It also forced millions out of their homes. Others had lost their homes entirely.

Zhang Kening, international department head with the MOC, said at a press conference held by the State Council, China's Cabinet, the body was making efforts to allocate and transport tents to quake-hit areas.

"The demand for tents in the disaster-hit areas is expected to increase over a long period of time."

According to official figures, 794,200 tents had been delivered to quake regions as of Wednesday noon.

(Xinhua News Agency June 5, 2008)