May 6, 2008, 9:36 GMT
Beijing - China has organized a flight of its first batch of emergency aid to Myanmar after President Hu Jintao and other leaders promised to help its cyclone-hit neighbour, the foreign ministry said Tuesday.
The government decided to send an initial shipment of cash and relief goods valued at about 1 million dollars to Myanmar by air, ministry spokesman Qin Gang told reporters.
Hu sent a message of sympathy to Myanmar's top leader, Senior General Than Shwe, and Premier Wen Jiabao and Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi also contacted their counterparts in Myanmar to offer China's sympathy and help with disaster relief, Qin said.
'As a friendly neighbour, China will provide help and aid to Myanmar's reconstruction efforts,' state media quoted Hu as telling Than Shwe Monday.
The death toll from Cyclone Nargis, which smashed into central Myanmar over the weekend, has risen to almost 15,000 with about 3,000 still listed as missing, a senior minister said Tuesday.
Thailand and India are also sending emergency materials to Myanmar. The UN said Tuesday it was prepared to provide urgent funding for Myanmar from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF).
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