The Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday it has received donations of nearly 1.6 billion yuan from outside China for the country's quake relief.

By June 27, the Foreign Ministry and Chinese embassies and delegations abroad had received 1.598 billion yuan (about 230 million US dollars) in donations from abroad, according to the ministry.

The donations include 762 million yuan (111 million US dollars) from foreign governments, international and regional organizations, 1.99 million yuan (290,000 US dollars) from foreign embassies and diplomats in China, 834 million yuan (121.5 million US dollars) from foreign companies, nongovernmental institutions and individuals as well as overseas Chinese and Chinese companies operating in foreign countries and regions.

The donations have been transfered to the special bank account that the government set up for quake relief or designated receivers, according to the ministry.

(Xinhua News Agency July 3, 2008)