By Lin Shujuan (China Daily)
Updated: 2008-05-14 07:44

Responding to calls for donations to aid rescue efforts, a number of Chinese and international companies, organizations and individuals have come forward offering to help.

As of 8:30 pm yesterday, the Red Cross in China had received nearly 70 million yuan from various companies and organizations, said Jiang Yiman, its vice-president.

Among them, China Life Insurance Company donated 16 million yuan, the biggest cash support the Red Cross Society of China has received after the quake.

Other companies including China Oceanwide Holdings Group, Pacific Insurance Company of China, Bank of China, PetroChina, Carrefour, Toyota Motor Corp, Ping'an Insurance, Huanneng, Sinosteel, Siemens, Huirui Pharmacy Co Ltd and Bank of Communications also pledged funds to aid rescue work.

Apart from a cash donation of up to 10 million yuan, PetroChina will provide 100,000 tons of refined oil.

The Chinese Human Rights Foundation and the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese yesterday donated 1 million yuan each and called for more donations from home and abroad.

NBA star Yao Ming was among the celebrities to come forward with a donation, of 500,000 yuan.

Actress Zhang Jingchu, who attended the press conference by Red Cross China yesterday said: "When I heard the news about the earthquake in Wenchuan, I did not think too much but only want to donate money to the victims who need help."

Sukanto Tanoto, founder of Singapore-based multinational RGM International, donated 1 million yuan ($143,000) for relief work. It was said to be the first big donation from an overseas Chinese businessman.