Estonian ambassador to China Andres Unga's gift to the victims of Monday's deadly earthquake truly came from his heart; the 42-year-old diplomat gave blood to help those injured in the tragedy.

Unga said not everyone could be certain they would personally save a life, but giving blood provides a rare opportunity to do so. "We can't do much for the victims, and making blood donations is something we can do and is our responsibility," Unga said while making his donation in Beijing on Thursday.

This is Unga's first time giving blood in a foreign country or for victims of a natural disaster. Unga had donated more than 20 times back home.

He told reporters he has been happy to see the swiftness of China's response and the strength of its rescue capabilities, adding he firmly believed Chinese people would overcome the disaster and rebuild their homeland.

Unga was one of many expats who have displayed compassionate generosity after the 7.8-magnitude earthquake devastated Sichuan province on Monday.

Foreigners in Shanghai, which has one of the mainland's largest foreign populations, have been opening their hearts and wallets to help victims of China's worst earthquake in more than three decades.

At a clubhouse in Green Villas, which has about 1,000 foreign households, a stream of foreigners arrived on Friday to donate money for relief work in Sichuan.

Among them was Sharon Potter, who donated 500 yuan during Friday's drive.

"I feel very sorry for all the people hit by the disaster. I hope they can get the aid they need to rebuild the area," the American said during her third visit to China. "I was touched by pictures showing people being rescued. I remember they found a boy trapped in debris for two days, which is very impressive."

Motoko Hirai, a corporate officer in a Japanese real estate company, flew back to China on Friday morning after learning a donation event would take place that afternoon. She gave 100,000 yuan.

"I was shocked when I heard the news in Japan," she said. "The disaster aroused attention across Japan. I came back to see what I can do for those suffering in the disaster, and I hope the entire society could help take care of those children who've lost their parents in the quake."

(China Daily 05/17/2008 page4)