More earthquake relief rolls in

Chinese organizations across the US have donated more than $400,000 to the Chinese embassy to support relief efforts for the Yunnan earthquake that struck China in early August.

Thirteen Chinese associations, one company, and three Tibetans from the US donated about $110,000 to the Consulate General of China in New York on Thursday. It was the second time the embassy received donations from Chinese organizations, bringing the total donations to more than $400,000, according to the embassy.

"After the first time we received donations from the groups, the response was so overwhelming," said Sun Guoxiang, China's consul general in New York. "People were calling us non-stop to see how they could donate money, so we decided to invite groups over for a second day of donations."

The participating associations included the Philadelphia Chinese Community Organization United, American Houyu Alumni Association, the Chinese Wen Chow Association, and the American Ting Jiang Association, who donated $26,336, $21,360, $30,720, and $11,500, respectively.

"Distinguished community leaders, compatriots, and media friends, I do appreciate your coming to the consulate general for the second time, to support our compatriots who suffered the earthquake disaster this month in Yunan province," Sun said.

Though the amount donated is limited, the people's "spirit of neighborhood watch, care, and love to the motherland" are "boundless", he said.

"Our nation and our people have suffered from disasters and difficulties throughout our history. However, the reason why our nation has such vitality is because those horrible disasters have never scared our people," Sun said. "When disaster strikes, help comes from all sides. It has always been our people's fine tradition.

"I believed that with such spirit and morality, people in the disaster-involved areas will conquer this difficulty and rebuild a better homeland, and thanks to the spirit, we will overcome all kinds of challenges and difficulties during the process to achieve our nation's renaissance," he said.

Jimmy Zhang, president of the American Houyu Alumni Association, said that more than 100 people in his organization donated to the cause, and that it took about a week to gather more than $21,000.

"Compassion is important," Zhang said. "It's important to help people from our own country."

Stevie Lam, general secretary of the Philadelphia Chinese Community Organization United, said that his organization has donated to other disaster-related efforts before, including those for the Sichuan earthquake that rocked the western Chinese province in 2008, killing more than 87,000 people.

"I think it's the intention that counts," he told China Daily. "We weren't able to raise much, but it's more that we care and we want to support the people affected."

Wong Jianming, former general secretary of the organization, said they hoped that the people in Yunnan can rebuild and start over with the help they are able to get.

"Even before the Chinese embassy started accepting donations, we were beginning to collect funds ourselves," said Mei Ren, another former general secretary of the group. "We were able to donate a couple of thousand dollars. Even though the sum is not great, we really wanted to support the people in China."

The 6.1-magnitude earthquake in Yunnan hit Ludian County on Aug 3, killing more than 600 people and displacing more than 200,000 from their homes. Relief efforts are still underway.

Liu Zheng contributed to this article.

amyhe@chinadailyusa.com

Members of the America Ting Jiang Association presenting Sun Guoxiang (center), consul general of the People's Republic of China in New York, with a donation check for Yunnan earthquake relief efforts. AMY HE / CHINA DAILY