Chan Chi-Hsien, the Kuomintang deputy secretary-general, arrived here on Wednesday, pledging more help to the victims of the May 12 earthquake in Sichuan Province.

"The Taiwan people, who have been through the September 21 (1999) earthquake, empathize with the Sichuan compatriots. The people in Taiwan hope they can help in areas that the Sichuan people need and help them in rebuilding their homes," he said, when meeting with Li Chongxi, Sichuan deputy Party secretary.

Chan, former head of Taiwan's Chi Mei Hospital, was to participate in the rescue work organized by the Taiwan medical workers who were already in the province, sources said.

He expressed gratitude to the Sichuan authorities for helping evacuating thousands of Taiwan tourists who were in the quake areas.

Two Taiwan tourists died during the quake, and more than 2,890 Taiwan tourists were evacuated out of the affected areas by May 20.

(Xinhua News Agency May 29, 2008)