Celebrities donate money, manpower to earthquake-relief efforts in Yunnan province, as China Daily reports.

Chinese celebrities have stepped forward to help victims of the devastating earthquake in Yunnan province. On Aug 3, a 6.5-magnitude earthquake hit the province's Zhaotong city - the most powerful quake to strike Yunnan in 14 years. Many celebrities have made donations to the victims and expressed their concern for people in the area through social media.

"What we can do now is make donations as soon as possible to contribute to first aid, and hope more and more people will be rescued before the night comes," Chinese mainland actor Huang Xiaoming says on his Sina Weibo.

More than 600 people have been killed in the disaster, according to the latest figures from local government. The earthquake is the third-deadliest in China over the past six years. Only the 2008 earthquake in Wenchuan, Sichuan province and the 2010 earthquake in Yushu, Qinghai province killed more people.

On Aug 3, as soon as Huang found out about the disaster, he donated 100,000 yuan ($16,233) to relief efforts. Pop singer Han Hong says on her Sina Weibo that a rescue team organized by her foundation went to the affected area with a nonprofit first aid organization, the Blue Sky Rescue Team, to help victims.

Han also wrote that her foundation would donate 1 million yuan to earthquake relief efforts. "Ludian, we are here to support you," Han says in the blog post.

Actor Zhang Guoli and his actress wife Deng Jie have donated 500,000 yuan to relief efforts. The couple donated 100,000 yuan on Aug 3 to help children affected by the earthquake. On Aug 4, when the extent of damage from the quake became known, they donated another 400,000 yuan, according to People.com

Film star Jet Li's One Foundation, which focuses on disaster relief, children's welfare and philanthropy development, has been assisting with relief efforts in affected areas. Desperately needed supplies, including 3,000 bags of rice and 3,000 barrels of cooking oil, have also been distributed among victims.

The foundation has recruited about 50 local volunteers to help hand out supplies, according to China Daily reporters in the area.

Taiwan musician and singer-songwriter Jay Chou has also donated 500,000 yuan to help the victims. Chou, who donated the money through the China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation, is the first celebrity from Taiwan to make a financial contribution to the relief efforts.

Netizens have praised the celebrities for their donations, and their actions have been widely shared and discussed on social media.

Contact the writer at liuzhihua@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily USA 08/08/2014 page14)