The People's Bank of China on Saturday will issue a commemorative coin to mark the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Red Cross Society of China.

The coin is made of one ounce of silver and is valued at 10 yuan. The front is designed with the emblem, country name and issue year and bears the Chinese characters which read "100th Anniversary of the Red Cross Society of China." The back is designed with pictures symbolizing peace and love, the value and the same expression in English.

Sixty thousand coins will be issued, a bank official said Friday.

The Red Cross Society of China has set up branches throughout the whole country.

(Xinhua News Agency May 8, 2004)