Overseas Chinese in Spain donated goods and money with a total value of 200,000 euros (US$272,000) to quake-torn Haiti in a disaster relief benefit evening held on Sunday to mark China's luna new year.

The evening, featuring China's traditional Lion Dance and drum performance, was held at the Madrid Town Hall and attracted some 400 guests including the Haitian ambassador.

Local officials thanked Chinese residents for initiating the event to raise fund and show support for quake victims in the Western Hemisphere's poorest nation.

"We should thank the Chinese community for their idea to organize the event," said Percival Manglano, general director of cooperation for development at the immigration and development department of Madrid.

"The people of Madrid are generous people and when I say people of Madrid, I mean all of the people who live in Madrid, be they Spanish or Chinese," he added.

(Xinhua News Agency February 8, 2010)