Chinese Ambassador Zhao Wuyi on Friday handed over 50,000 US dollars in disaster relief fund donated by the Chinese Red Cross to its the Bolivian counterpart, news reaching Lima from La Paz said Saturday.

Zhao said China's aid testified to the profound friendship between the two peoples.

Abel Pena, chairman of the Bolivian Red Cross, expressed his thanks to the Chinese government and people for their assistance, noting that China is among the first to offer help to Bolivia after the flood-stricken country appealed for international aid.

Floods caused by La Nina have killed at least 40 people and left four others still missing in Bolivia. Nearly 30,000 households were severely affected by the floods.

The Bolivian government has declared a state of emergency and is mobilizing all resources in disaster relief operation across the country.

(Xinhua News Agency February 2, 2008)