WASHINGTON - Chinese Ambassador Zhang Yesui, on behalf of the Chinese government, on Tuesday donated money and equipment with a total worth of $44,660 to the Organization of American States (OAS).

Speaking at a ceremony at the OAS headquarters in Washington, Zhang said the donation is designed to update media and communication equipment for the general secretariat of the OAS.

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The donation will also be used to support the bloc's project on preventing and eliminating commercial exploitation and human-trafficking of children in the region.

"I hope the donation from China will strengthen the capacity-building of the OAS, and play a positive role in promoting regional stability and development," said the ambassador.

He reiterated that China will further enhance friendly and cooperative relations with countries and people in the western hemisphere.

"I, as the China's Permanent Observer at the OAS, am willing to make relentless effort to achieve this goal," said Zhang.

According to Chinese diplomats, China, since becoming observer at the OAS in 2004, has set up a five-year, one-million-dollar cooperation fund with the regional bloc. Last year, the two sides have renewed the fund deal and signed a new memoir on scholarship.

Chinese diplomats said China has supported numerous OAS projects on politics, economy, security and social development. In addition, the Chinese government has provided students in the region with scholarship.
Thirteen students from the region, supported by Chinese scholarship, are currently studying in China.