U.S. firms give $30 mln to China's quake relief efforts

Major U.S. companies have been actively contributing to the relief efforts in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in Sichuan, China, a U.S. business community leader told Xinhua Tuesday.

"We have been working with the Chinese embassy to keep our members informed of how to support the relief efforts in China," said John Frisbie, president of the U.S.-China Business Council (USCBC), as he joined over 40 U.S. business executives to mourn the earthquake victims at the Chinese embassy.

He said nearly 80 U.S. companies have contributed to the relief efforts, with the cash donations amounting to over 30 million U.S. dollars.

"This amount includes contributions of Chinese employees of U.S. companies based in China. U.S. companies with operations in China naturally consider themselves and their employees to be part of China, and have responded accordingly," Frisbie added.

Established in 1973, the USCBC is a nonprofit organization of over 250 companies that do business in China, with a goal to expand U.S. commercial relationship with China to benefit the U.S. economy.

Among its members are many of the largest and best-known U.S. companies, including Boeing, Motorola, Microsoft and Citi.

Frisbie said the USCBC is advising its members of urgently needed supplies requested by the Chinese government and Sichuan Province.

It's also sending daily bulletins to its members and posting the information on its website.

"We will continue to offer whatever assistance we can and the Chinese people have the support of the American business community during this difficult time," he added.

China General Chamber of Commerce U.S.A., an organization of Chinese companies that do business in the United States, also donated 3 million Renminbi Tuesday to support the relief efforts in homeland.