Chinese relief materials arrive in Myanmar

The first batch of relief materials offered by China to the cyclone-hit Myanmar arrived in its capital Rangoon Wednesday afternoon, sources with Chinese Foreign Ministry said.

The first batch of relief materials offered by China to the cyclone-hit Myanmar arrived in its capital Rangoon Wednesday afternoon, May 7, 2008.

The materials arrived at 15:30 Beijing time. Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Guan Mu handed them over to Maung Maung Swe, Myanmars Minister of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement, on behalf of the Chinese government.

Tropical cyclone Nargis, which developed over the Bay of Bengal, ripped through Myanmars five divisions and states on May 2, leaving at least 22,500 people dead and more than 41,000 others missing.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said Tuesday China has decided to offer US$1 million worth of aid, including relief materials worth US$500,000, to help Myanmar with its disaster relief and rehabilitation efforts.

The first batch of relief materials offered by China to the cyclone-hit Myanmar arrived in its capital Rangoon Wednesday afternoon, May 7, 2008.

Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Guan Mu (second from right) shakes hands with Maung Maung Swe (right), Myanmars Minister of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement in Rangoon Wednesday afternoon, May 7, 2008.

(Xinhua News Agency May 8, 2008)