Overseas donations for snow-stricken areas of China, including
funds from Hong Kong and Macao, have exceeded 40 million yuan
(about 5.48 million U.S. dollars), the Overseas Chinese Affairs
Office of the State Council said.
On Thursday, an overseas Chinese investment association appealed
to overseas Chinese for help for millions of people affected by
persistent severe winter weather in central, east and south
China.
The "warmth-seeking" action was launched by the office on
Thursday. By later that day, the office had received funds totaling
14 million yuan from three enterprises.
On Saturday evening, officials with the office visited Guangxi
Zhuang Autonomous Region, one of the hard-hit areas, and brought
donations for the residents.
The snow has so far killed at least 60 people, according to the
latest figures, and forced nearly 1.76 million people to relocate.
From Jan. 25-31, a total of 5.8 million passengers were stranded
throughout the railway system and more than 8,000 cargo trains were
affected.
Some countries and foreign friends have sent messages of
sympathy and solicitude over China's worst winter weather in
decades, which has caused huge losses over the past three
weeks.
Premier Wen Jiabao said on Saturday that people in China "have
the faith, courage and ability to overcome the severe natural
disaster."
(Xinhua News Agency February 4, 2008)