Wednesday, 28 May 2008

Cambodians raise more than 1m $ for China quake

(DPA)
27 May 2008

PHNOM PENH - Aid for China's earthquake victims was pouring into Cambodia's many Chinese associations from businesses, Chinese-language schools and individuals, the associations and local media reported Tuesday.

The English-language Mekong Times newspaper reported a single donation of 301,000 dollars from the China, Hong Kong and Macau Expatriate and Business Association of Cambodia delivered to the Chinese embassy Monday.

The Khmer-China Association said it gave around 210,000 dollars, and the Foundation for Promoting Chinese Culture in Cambodia donated around 22,000 dollars, which was also delivered to the China embassy in Phnom Penh.

China's official news agency Xinhua said Cambodian politicians, the royal family, businesses and individuals had given a total of 1.17 million dollars in aid since the earthquake struck.

Cambodia and China have strong ties that go back centuries, and a large percentage of the Cambodian population claims at least some Chinese blood.

China is Cambodia's main investor and donor, and former king Norodom Sihanouk maintains a royal residence in Beijing, where he spends months out of every year. The octogenarian credits his remission from colon cancer to Chinese doctors.

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