Chinese companies helping Ecuador

Chinese companies are deploying more manpower and resources for post-earthquake relief efforts in Ecuador to help the country recover, the Ministry of Commerce said on Wednesday.

China National Petroleum Corp and Huawei Technologies have not only purchased a large amount of lifesaving goods, but also encouraged their employees to donate personal belongings to people who have suffered heavy casualties and financial losses.

Wang Haijing, vice-president of the Red Cross Society of China, said three Chinese rescue teams with 330 kilograms of goods have arrived in Ecuador since Sunday. They recruited 15 translators, medical and construction professionals, for the mission.

A 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit coastal Ecuador on April 16, killing more than 500 people and injuring thousands.

Powerchina International Group, the international arm of Power Construction Corp of China, said power generating equipment in Ecuador's Coca Codo Sinclair project - China's largest hydropower project in South America - were working normally after the earthquake.

"This equipment has been tested many times under many different circumstances including extreme hot and cool weather, as well as under earthquake conditions," the company said.

Power Construction Corp of China has increased its generating capacity every day following the earthquake, and has sent medical equipment and supplies to Guayaquil, Ecuador's largest city.

China also sent its first round of humanitarian aid including medicine, water-purification products, tents and lifesaving equipment to Ecuador on Tuesday night, according to the Ministry of Commerce.