The Chinese mainland on Wednesday expressed its gratitude for the condolences and donations from political figures, business people and companies in Taiwan, saying these moves symbolized compatriot and sibling-like care.

"We are deeply moved by the Taiwan compatriots' profound friendship," says Yang Yi, spokesman of Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, during a routine press conference.

"The Taiwan compatriots are highly concerned about the disaster," he said.

The Central Committee of Kuomintang, or Nationalist Party of China, had sent a letter to the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China to express condolences for victims of the quake.

Taiwan's incoming leader Ma Ying-jeou, honorary chairman of Kuomintang Lien Chan, chairman of the People First Party James C.Y. Soong, and Taiwan New Party chairman Yok Mu-ming all expressed their sympathy and condolences, he said.

The Taiwan-based Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) had delivered two letters to the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) and expressed its willingness to offer help to the people in the quake-hit areas.

The Red Cross Society in Taiwan had pledged 300,000 U.S. dollars for the relief efforts, he said.

Yang also listed enterprises and individuals in the island province, which had contributed more than 200 million yuan (28.6 million U.S. dollars) to disaster relief.

The lack of direct transport links and inconvenient telecommunications had made it difficult to allow Taiwan relief workers to go to the area, he said, adding that further contacts with organizations on the island would be possible as conditions improve.

"The people in the mainland have felt the profound love of their Taiwan compatriots," he said. "We are deeply thankful."

(Xinhua News Agency May 15, 2008)