The Chinese government announced Monday that it would provide an additional 200 million yuan (US$29.4 million) of humanitarian aid to flood-hit Pakistan for disaster relief and reconstruction.

The Chinese government had previously given 120 million yuan in humanitarian relief to its neighbor, the Ministry of Commerce said in a statement on its website.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu confirmed the 200-million-yuan aid on Monday evening.

"Chinese government has decided to provide 200 million yuan of humanitarian aid to support Pakistan," she said in a statement.

As Pakistan's "close neighbor and all-weather friend," China would continue to support Pakistan's disaster relief and reconstruction efforts, said Jiang.

Pakistan is still facing severe challenges in relief and reconstruction, and needs additional aid from the international community, she said.

(Xinhua News Agency September 7, 2010)