CHANGCHUN -- Local governments in northeast China's Jilin Province on Monday pledged to donate money to the Japanese areas hit hardest by last week's destructive earthquake as rescue work continues.

The provincial government of Jilin will donate US$100,000 to the prefectural government of Miyagi while the municipal government of Changchun, capital of Jilin, will donate 500,000 yuan (US$76,900) to the municipal government of Sendai, local officials said.

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"We hope the people of Miyagi can quickly overcome the natural disaster and rebuild their hometown. We hope life will soon return to normal," said a spokesman of Jilin provincial government.

Jilin, which borders the Korean Peninsula, has close economic ties with Japan.

Last Friday, a massive magnitude 9 earthquake struck off the east coast of Japan's main Honshu Island, triggering a tsunami and leaving thousands  dead and missing.

Miyagi, with a population of about 2.3 million, was one of the hardest hit areas.

While the Japan grapples with widespread damage, many countries around the world have offered help to the country.

The central government of China has pledged 30 million yuan (US$4.57 million) worth of emergency humanitarian assistance to Japan, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said Monday.

Jilin and Changchun are among the first local governments in China to announce donation plans.