China shipped its first batch of relief materials to earthquake-hit areas in Pakistan Sunday noon, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

This batch of relief is a part of China's humanitarian aids to Pakistan including US$6.2 million worth of relief materials and funds.

The Chinese government sent a 49-member international rescue team to earthquake-hit areas in Pakistan for humanitarian aids Sunday morning.

An earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale hit Pakistan at 11:50 AM Saturday (Beijing Time). The epicenter was located about 95 km northeast to Islamabad, capital of Pakistan.

The earthquake, believed the strongest ever occurred since the founding of Pakistan, caused destruction of different extents to central and northern parts of Pakistan. The quake has killed at least 18,000 people and injured 40,000 others, Pakistani military spokesman said on Sunday.

(Xinhua News Agency October 10, 2005)