A SENIOR Chinese mainland official said Thursday that the mainland welcomed an earthquake rescue team sent by the Red Cross organization of Taiwan to help with relief work in quake-hit Sichuan Province.

Chen Yunlin, director of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said his office and the Red Cross Society of the mainland would assist the rescuers from Taiwan in reaching the quake zone at the earliest possible time.

“We understand the concerns of the Taiwan compatriots toward the quake victims,” Chen said and thanked them for their generosity and help in the rescue and relief work.

The mainland side has also been working hard to rescue the stranded Taiwan tourists and business people, he said.

He expressed grief over the deaths of two Taiwan residents in the disaster, and sent condolences to their families.

The majority of Taiwan tourists were safe, but one tourist group was still out of contact, he said.

The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) said Thursday it had accepted Taiwan-based China Airlines’ offer to transport relief materials to quake-hit regions in Sichuan.

Meanwhile, the Taiwan administration Thursday offered NT$2 billion (US$73 million) for relief in Sichuan Province.

The Taiwanese public has raised another NT$2.2 billion. Taiwan companies and entrepreneurs are pledging nearly 300 million yuan (US$42.9 million), while others, including leader-elect Ma Ying-jeou, donated various sums of money and supplies such as tents, sleeping bags and medicine.

Officials and donation collection agencies said that as Taiwan received aid after its own deadly quake in 1999, many felt obligated to give back. The Sept. 21, 1999 quake measured 7.1 and killed 2,416 people.

“Taiwan has gone through quakes before, so we have that unique experience,” said Master Chueh-pei, spokesperson for Taiwan’s Fo Guang Shan Buddhist organization, which sent medicine to the quake-hit areas.(SD-Xinhua)