Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said Friday that China will offer additional aid of 500 million yuan (US$60.46 million) to help the Indian Ocean tsunami-hit countries.

Wen also said China will send rescue teams to these countries at any time according to the need of these countries.

Wen said this in meeting with the diplomatic envoys from the tsunami-hit South and Southeast Asian countries and representatives of some international organizations in Beijing.

(Xinhua News Agency December 31, 2004)