The first batch of eight large military tents along with other equipments provided by the German armed forces, the Bundeswehr, were sent to China's quake-ravaged areas on Tuesday.

The tents were expected to arrive Wednesday morning Beijing time in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province, which suffered an 8.0-magnitude earthquake on May 12.

German Defense Minister Franz Josef Jung has pledged a total of 80 military tents for China's relief efforts. The remaining 72 tents are scheduled be sent to China on June 4 and 19.

The 80 tents, each weighing 1.5 tons and with floor space of 40 square meters, are capable of accommodating over 700 people. Equipped with a power generator and air conditioner, the tents can also house an emergency medical center.

Six Bundeswehr engineers are traveling with the first batch of tents on the trip to China. They will stay in China for about a week, instructing Chinese relief workers on the construction and maintenance of the tents.

(Xinhua News Agency June 4, 2008)