The Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday it has received donations of nearly 1.6 billion yuan from outside China for the country's quake relief.

By June 27, the Foreign Ministry and Chinese embassies and delegations abroad had received 1.598 billion yuan (about US$230 million) in donations from abroad, according to the ministry.

The donations include 762 million yuan (US$111 million) from foreign governments, international and regional organizations, 1.99 million yuan (US$290,000) from foreign embassies and diplomats in China, 834 million yuan (US$121.5 million) from foreign companies, nongovernmental institutions and individuals as well as overseas Chinese and Chinese companies operating in foreign countries and regions.

The donations have been transferred to the special bank account that the government set up for quake relief or designated receivers, according to the ministry.

(Xinhua News Agency July 3, 2008)