China is ready to parachute 100 elite soldiers to the epicenter of Wenchuan for disaster relief.

The paratroopers, selected from the airborne special force, have been gathered at a military airport at Chengdu, the provincial capital of Sichuan.

China planned to parachute troops and supplies into Wenchuan on Tuesday, but later called off the action due to unfavorable weather conditions including thunderstorms and heavy rain.

(Xinhua News Agency May 14, 2008)