China has announced a concessional loan of US$300 million to fund reconstruction and rehabilitation plans in earthquake-hit areas of Pakistan.

Chinese Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Wu Dawei made the announcement in a speech on behalf of the Chinese government and the Chinese people at the international donors' conference held in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad on Saturday.

He said that the concessional load would fund the repair of Karakoram Highway, the provision of health and educational facilities in Balakot of the North West Frontier Province, and the establishment of a network of seismic stations throughout Pakistan.

Last Tuesday, before leaving Balakot, the China International Search and Rescue (CISAR) donated its medical facilities worth US$60,000 to the local authorities, according to Wu, the head of the Chinese governmental delegation to the international donors' conference.

(Xinhua News Agency November 20, 2005)