Beijing: China has received over $ 140 million in generous donations and material aid from foreign governments, including $ 8,000 worth aid from India, and multi-national companies to combat SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome).

India, Beijing's biggest trade partner in South Asia, donated medical kits worth some $ 8,000 to fight SARS soon after Defence Minister George Fernandes concluded his first-ever visit to China at the time of the epidemic.

Japan is the biggest donor in Beijing's fight against the SARS that has killed over 280 people and infected over 5,000 others.

On April 28, Japan offered an urgent aid worth 205 mn Yen for China's SARS prevention and treatment. On May 16, Japan again donated some 70,000 USD worth of medical equipment and disease prevention apparatus to China.

The United States, the second largest trading partner of China, donated 500,000 USD as part of a package of financial, material and expert assistance to China earlier this month.

According to China's ministry of commerce, the donation by Japan consists mainly of X-ray machines and respirators worth 1.5 billion Yen (12.5 million USD).

This has been the largest foreign governmental aid for China's fight against SARS.

PTI