Famous Chinese painter Yuan Xikun donated 100,000 yuan (about 15,000 U.S. dollars) to help people made homeless by Russia's raging wildfires, the Chinese Embassy in Russia said Friday.

"Yuan Xikun, who is concerned over the natural disaster in Russia, approached the Chinese Embassy in Russia to make a 100,000-yuan personal contribution in assistance to people affected in the forest fires in Russia," an embassy diplomat said.

Yuan also sent a letter to Russian Ambassador to China Sergei Razov, expressing sympathy and support for the fire-affected people.

Yuan, who is the general director of the Beijing Arts Museum and an honorary member of the Russian Academy of Arts, has been actively engaged in charity activities for years and provided material support to victims of natural disasters many times.