China has sent three art troupes to five of its worst snow-stricken provinces, to "show the country's respect and gratitude to those still fighting against the snow storms", said the Ministry of Culture in Beijing on Sunday.

The three troupes would stage 10 performances in Anhui, Jiangxi, Hunan and Hubei Provinces and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region from February 17 to February 20, said Huang Zhenchun, director with the General Office of the ministry.

"The troupes consist of a number of renowned singers and artists in the country. We hope our performances would showcase the entire country's determination in our fight against the snow storms, and inspire more people to join the fight," he said.

The troupes will also bring a total of 169 art works donated from across the country to the five snow-hit provinces and regions, according to Huang.

Prolonged low temperatures, icy rain and heavy snow in southern and central parts of China since mid January have already claimed 107 lives by February 13, and have caused direct economic loss of an estimated 111.1 billion yuan (about US$15.3 billion).

A total of 21 provincial-level areas have been affected, with Hunan, Guizhou, Jiangxi, Anhui, Hubei, Zhejiang, Sichuan and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region being the worst hit by the freakish weather.

(Xinhua News Agency February 18, 2008)