China has received 3.175 billion yuan (US$454 million) in cash and goods for earthquake relief from donors at home and abroad as of 4:00 PM Friday, according to the Ministry of Civil Affairs (MCA).

Domestic donations reached 2.59 billion yuan, nearly double the figure on Thursday, while 19 foreign governments and four international organizations contributed 580 million yuan in cash and goods, a statement from the ministry said.

The MCA had received donations of 102 million yuan and the China Charity Federation had received about 240 million yuan.

Local governments, domestic companies and social institutions had donated 1.63 billion yuan to the affected areas.

The Red Cross Society of China received 625 million yuan in cash and goods, according to the MCA. However, the Red Cross Society of China announced it had received 1.15 billion yuan as of midday on Friday from home and abroad, and had delivered 223 million yuan in cash and goods to affected areas.

Lien Chan, honorary chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT), said on Friday he would donate 1 million yuan worth of quilted coats and 2.5 million yuan in cash to earthquake-affected areas in Sichuan, according to the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council.

Chinese living abroad had donated relief supplies and cash valued at 160 million yuan (US$23 million) to quake-hit regions, figures from the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council showed.

Donations to the quake victims from the public and companies in Macao had reached 34 million patacas (US$4 million) by Wednesday.

Taiwan TV stations and Red Cross organizations will stage a concert to raise donations for quake-hit regions on Sunday.

China state television company, China Central Television (CCTV), will broadcast a major fund-raising program on Sunday evening featuring celebrities from cultural, artistic and sports circles.

The disaster relief fund from the central budget rose to 3.41 billion yuan on Friday, up 1.17 billion yuan from the previous day, according to the Ministry of Finance.

The 7.8-magnitude quake, centered on Wenchuan County in Sichuan Province, affected many parts of the country. The death toll nationwide hit 22,069 nationwide as of 2:00 PM Friday, while 168,669 people were injured.

(Xinhua News Agency May 17, 2008)