Timor-Leste gave US$500,000 to China's quake-hit Sichuan Province, its first donation to another country, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced on Thursday.

At the donation ceremony in Dili, capital of Timor-Leste, also known as East Timor, Foreign Minister Zacarias Albano da Costa said the government and people of Timor-Leste had always been grateful to the assistance China offered.

He said his people were sympathetic with the victims in the 8.0-magnitude earthquake that devastated the southwestern province and the surrounding area on May 12.

He added he expected the Chinese to rebuild their homes at an early date as the quake had claimed nearly 70,000 lives and left 17,923 others missing.

The friendship between the two nations is sincere and the people of Timor-Leste will always stand by the side of the Chinese.

Su Jian, the Chinese ambassador to Timor-Leste, appreciated the support, adding his country would remember this benevolent act.

He said China would like to deepen its ties with Timor-Leste.

(Xinhua News Agency September 19, 2008)