France's first medical team to China's quake zone is expected to arrive in Sichuan Province this weekend to help with relief work, according to the French Embassy in China.

The 13-person team of doctors, nurses, medical assistants and logistics experts left France Saturday and is expected to arrive in Chengdu, capital of southwestern Sichuan Province, Sunday, according to a posting on the website of France's Foreign Affairs Ministry.

The team will work in a hospital in Guangyuan, a city near Qingchuan and Pingwu counties in north Sichuan, both of which were hit hard by the May 12 earthquake, the notice said.

France also pledged to donate another 200 tents to house survivors.

France has donated 1 million euros (about US$1.57 million) worth of relief goods, including medical resources, quilts, sleeping bags, tents and cooking utensils.

(Xinhua News Agency May 24, 2008)