Russia is to send the fifth batch of humanitarian aid on Monday to China's southwest regions that were hit hard by a devastating earthquake, local media reported.

"Two more Il-76 cargo planes are expected to take off tonight," Itar-Tass quoted an official of the Emergency Ministry.

Those planes will be loaded with tents, blankets, a mobile hospital and medicine, the anonymous official was cited as saying.

So far, Russia has delivered some 120 tons of humanitarian aid to southwest China's Sichuan Province which was jolted most by the 8-magnitude quake that has claimed more than 34,000 lives since it occurred on May 12.

Chinese President Hu Jintao has expressed appreciation to the international community, including Russia, for their humanitarian aid and rescue efforts.

(Xinhua News Agency May 19, 2008)