China Table Tennis Team members donated over 1 million yuan to China's earthquake region Wednesday afternoon when they were participating the ITTF China Open, just two days after the dreadful earthquake struck China's southwestern Sichuan Province.

"We've been following closely to the latest news about the earthquake, and we are painful to hear about the extensive damage, injury and loss of lives," said Ding Ning, one of the young players.

"Our team members decided to donate for the victims of the earthquake and aftershocks to show our concern and best wishes for them. We hope things would get better as soon as possible," said Ding.

Team coach Liu Guoliang, together with Wang Liqin, Ma Lin, Wang Nan and Wang Hao, donated 100,000 yuan respectively, according to sources. Guo Yue donated 70,000 yuan, while Zhang Yining and Li Xiaoxia contributed 50,000 yuan separately.

The donation will be sent to the earthquake victims directly through the local government of Sichuan, said the sources.

(Xinhua News Agency May 14, 2008)