Mainland concerned with Taiwan compatriots after Hualien earthquake: spokesperson

BEIJING -- The mainland is highly concerned about Taiwan compatriots after the earthquake in Hualien county, An Fengshan, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said Monday.

"Mainland organizations such as the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS), the Red Cross Society of China, the Seismological Society of China, as well as the governments of Beijing, Fujian and Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, have expressed their sympathy to those afflicted by the earthquake and sent condolences to those that lost their lives," An said.

Authorities and enterprises on the mainland have been donating money and goods to Taiwan, amounting to 20.88 million yuan ($3.31 million), he added.

The earthquake has claimed the lives of nine mainland tourists, with six mainland tourists injured. Authorities including the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council and ARATS opened a fast-track for families of the victims to go to Taiwan and supported them to cope with the aftermath, An said.

An expressed gratitude to relevant parties in Taiwan, including Hualien County and rescue staff, for their full support in the rescue, and for their care and assistance to the injured mainland tourists and families of the deceased.