Kunming National Hi-Tech Industries Development Zone initiated a donation ceremony at Kaixuanli Vehicles Exhibition Center on Aug 9 to raise funds for victims of the earthquake in Ludian county in Zhaotong, Yunnan province.

A 6.5-magnitude earthquake shook Ludian on August 3, killing more than 600 people as of Aug 8, with more than 100 still missing. It is the strongest quake in Yunnan since 1996.

At the ceremony, Wang Minzheng, director of the administrative committee of the Kunming Hi-Tech Zone, said he was greatly impressed that people all over China showed their care of the quake-hit areas, and that victims all helped each other and carried out rescues on their own. He used to be the mayor of Zhaotong, to which he still felt deeply attached. Wang thanked all the generous people for their kindness. Also, he said he hoped that the donations would bring some warmth and hope to the quake-stricken people.

Wang Minzheng gives a speech at the donation ceremony on Aug 9 to call on donations for the quake-stricken people in Ludian, Zhaotong, Yunnan province. [Photo/kmhnz.gov.cn]

Altogether the ceremony collected 1.8 million yuan (nearly $300,000) from the administrative committee and enterprises in the zone. In addition, some enterprises donated medicines, food and water, tents and sleeping bags and emergency water treatment equipment, worth more than ten million yuan. At present, the donations are still coming in.

At the ceremony, the famous explorer Jin Feibao, the geologist Fei Xuan and Zhaotong's former mayor Wang Minzheng gave their books to people who made donations. The books were written by the three and the value was estimated to be more than 100,000 yuan.

Wang Minzheng signs the title page of his book and gives it to a man who has made donations to Ludian. [Photo/kmhnz.gov.cn]

After the earthquake, Wang Minzheng immediately asked the administrative committee to organize a professional rescue team formed by experts in various fields including fire protection, water treatment and public security. The rescue team aims to provide relief supplies to the quake-hit areas – especially the areas with no water supply. Additionally, the administrative committee of the zone donated 1 million yuan to Ludian and called on donations from individuals, which had already exceeded 150,000 yuan by Aug 7.

Liu Renhua, deputy secretary of the Zhaotong Party Committee, expressed gratitude to all the loving people in his speech at the end of the ceremony. He said that Zhaotong's government will spend the money on where it is needed most and allocate the goods and materials to people affected by the natural disaster.

Officials of Yunnan Provincial Political Consultative Conference, Kunming Charity Federation, Kunming Party Committee, and the administrative committee of Kunming Hi-Tech Zone, and several major media attended the donation ceremony.

By Shi Zihan and edited by Brian Salter