(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-05-21 23:34

BEIJING --The United Nations offered 8 million dollars of aid to China's quake-hit areas in Sichuan here Wednesday.

Khalid Malik, resident coordinator of the United Nations System's Operational Activities for Development, transferred the cheque to China's Foreign Ministry.

United Nations contributed the donation from the Central Emergency Relief Fund to the Chinese government,according to a press release.

Khalid Malik said the contribution was an expression of solidarity with the Chinese people. He commended the extraordinary response of the Chinese government and stressed the readiness of the UN system to support the relief and reconstruction efforts over many months to come.

"The United Nations stands ready to provide further support, as required, to the Government of China in its efforts to respond to the humanitarian needs caused by the disaster,"said Khalid Malik at the donation ceremony.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed gratitude to Khalid Malik when addressing the ceremony. Wang said, "With the help from the international community, the Chinese government and people will be able to win the battle against the natural catastrophe."

Meanwhile, UN Agencies such as the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) are stepping up their support to Chinese authorities in their efforts, according to the source.

The Republic of Botswana also donated 1.06 million yuan (150,000 US dollars) to the Chinese government, the Botswanian Minister of Education Jacob Nkate transferred the cheque on behalf of the Botswanian government to China's Foreign Ministry here Wednesday.

Envoys from diplomatic mission of the Southern African Development Community to China offered 100,000 yuan (14,000 US dollars), and diplomats from the Cuban embassy to China donated 8,719 yuan (1,200 US dollars) in aid.