Saturday, January 22 2005 14:31 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Beijing: China has issued special postage stamps to show Chinese people's efforts to help the tsunami victims in South and Southeast Asian nations where Beijing launched its biggest-ever relief and aid operations.

The stamps issued by the State Post Bureau of China show the Chinese people's efforts to help the tsunami victims in the effected areas.

At the issuing ceremony, the head of State Post Bureau donated $ 2,40,964 to the Chinese Red Cross Association for tsunami victims on behalf of the postal staff across the country.

Chinese post bureaus have decided to forgive the postage for tsunami donations since January 1, 2005. The total donation through mail has passed $ 6,02,410, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Chinese Government pledged $ 2.6 million of supplies and immediate relief to these areas and made an additional donation of $ 60 million a few days later.

Red Cross China had collected more than $ 18.1 million in private donations for the tsunami victims.

Chinese rescuers and medical workers were also rushed to countries like Indonesia, Thailand and Sri Lanka.