China will dispatch four military helicopters to Pakistan to assist with the country's flood relief. It is the first time Chinese military helicopters have been sent overseas to perform such duties.

The four military helicopters, belonging to Xinjiang military area command, will take off from Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on Sept. 21, as approved by the Central Military Commission of China.

The four helicopters were previously engaged in transportation and search and rescue operations in the wake of several major natural disasters in China, including the catastrophic Wenchuan earthquake on May 12, 2008, and Zhouqu mudslide this year.

The most devastating floods in a century swept Pakistan in July.

Aside from personnel, the four Chinese military helicopters will carry disaster-relief materials aboard.

(Xinhua News Agency September 20, 2010)