IN BRIEF (Page 18)

Avalanche spurs helping hand

President Xi Jinping expressed his profound condolences to Columbia following the avalanche disaster in Mocoa. The Chinese government announced it would provide $1 million in aid to the South American nation. The Red Cross Society of China also said it would donate $100,000 to help relief work in the disaster-stricken area. Columbia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as local newspaper El Tiempo, expressed their gratitude for the Chinese assistance.

Record donation for Hubei Uni

Childcare and maternity company Aiqin Co Ltd donated 10 million yuan ($1.45 million) to Hubei University, a record for a single donation in its history. An alumni of Hubei University, company president Chen Jinghong, presented the donation, saying he hoped the funds could foster the education of young people and contribute to education in Hubei. Xiong Jianmin, principal of Hubei University, said that the donation would go to setting up scholarships. Other uses, he said, would include establishing funds for scientific research as well as student sport and cultural activities.

Students in Dayu county get books

A volunteer teaching group from Central South University donated 755 books to Dayu Middle School, a local middle school in Dayu county in Anhui province. The books will go to 7th grade students as well as to the school library, for loaning out to other students. During the donation ceremony, Dayu Middle School children chose their favorite books to read. The 755 books cover such fields as literature, poetry and natural science.

Remote village secures equipment

The People's Procuratorate in Tianlin county, the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, donated a set of equipment - including filing cabinets, desks and chairs, kettles, pens and notebooks - to the village of Yanlong. Yanlong is located in a remote area in the county and its infrastructure is relatively poor. The village has a serious lack of equipment and local authorities, at an emergency meeting, resolved to buy the materials, which were immediately delivered. Officials said the donation improved the village's working environment.

Foshan bazaar sells flowers for children

Foshan Charity Federation in Guangdong province held a charity bazaar on April 4, selling fresh flowers to raise money for children in need of medical assistance. The charity bazaar this year mainly sold chrysanthemums and lilies, priced between 28 yuan to 38 yuan ($4 to $5.5). Citizens coming to worship their ancestors were able to buy flowers at the bazaar. Many paid premium prices, to contribute to those in need. By the end of the day Foshan Charity Federation collected a total of 14,298 yuan, all of which will be used for a health care program for local children. The project was launched by Foshan Charity Federation in 2014. To date, it has donated over 3 million yuan ($435,000), helping 132 sick children.

China Daily

(China Daily 04/13/2017 page18)