The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Friday appealed foreign governments and other official institutions to contact the ministry for matters concerning donations and aid to China's quake-hit area.

"The ministry, which is in charge of coordinating the reception of relief goods from foreign governments and other official institutions, will immediately inform the Ministry of Civil Affairs of the donation. The Ministry of Civil Affairs, which is in charge of receiving relief goods, will send them to the quake-hit area in the shortest possible time," said ministry spokesman Qin Gang.

China welcomed and was sincerely grateful for the relief goods donated by many countries after the strong quake jolted the southwest China province of Sichuan on Monday, Qin said.

Foreign governments and other official institutions were advised to contact the Chinese Foreign Ministry, embassies or consulates for matters on the donation, the spokesman said.

(Xinhua News Agency May 16, 2008)