Chinese basketball star Yao Ming has donated 500,000 yuan (US$71,428) to victims of the earthquake that has killed more than 10, 000 people in southwest China.

Yao, 28, plays for the Houston Rockets in the NBA and is one of China's best-known athletes. He is recovering in the United States from a fractured left foot.

The Red Cross Society of China has also opened several bank accounts and hotlines to receive donations for the victims.

The organization has received more than 10 million yuan in donations as of this morning.

The 7.8-magnitude quake hit Monday afternoon.

(Shanghai Daily May 14, 2008)