China on Thursday donated US$1 million to Pakistan's earthquake victims, which has amounted to more than 300 in northern part of southwestern Balochistan Province.

Chinese ambassador to Pakistan Luo Zhaohui presented a check of US$1 million to Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari in the presidential house. China is the first country to present donation to Pakistan over the quake disaster.

The Chinese leaders and people were shocked upon hearing the news of the earthquake and felt grieved over the great casualties and property loss in Pakistan, said Luo in a meeting with Zardari.

China believed that Pakistan could overcome the difficulties, Luo added.

"Pakistan and China are brothers, the nation of Pakistan is touched by the gesture of the Chinese government," said Zardari at the presidential house.

The 6.5-magnitude earthquake occurred on early Wednesday morning near Balochistan's capital Quetta. The death toll is expected to rise as many bodies may be buried under rubbles when the calamity leveled about 2,000 mud-walled houses.

The epicenter of the powerful earthquake was in the scenic tourist spot Ziarat district, about 60km north of Quetta.

As many as 250 aftershocks had been recorded after the major earthquake and the meteorological departments warned that more aftershocks were expected in a week.

(Xinhua News Agency October 31, 2008)