China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), China's largest offshore oil producer, said Friday that it will donate some 1.6 million yuan (US$198,000) to US victims stricken by hurricane Katrina.

Since hearing news that the hurricane Katrina has hit Louisiana and brought serious losses to the local people on Monday, employees of CNOOC have donated nearly 800,000 yuan (US$99,000) so far.

CNOOC said the company will donate the same sum to help the victims recover their normal life and rebuild their home.

As enterprise citizens, CNOOC will shoulder its social responsibility to offer humanitarian help as much as possible for the victims, said sources with the CNOOC.

According to the company, it has contacted the afflicted area and will send the donation to the victims as soon as possible.

(Xinhua News Agency September 3, 2005)