Spain is preparing to send seven tons of materials in emergency aid to help China alleviate the consequences of the May 12 earthquake that struck the southwestern Sichuan province, local media reported Thursday.

The aid materials include medicines, blankets and emergency kits among other things urgently needed by the affected people.

Officials of the Spanish government said the airplane carrying the materials will leave for China on Friday.

The Spanish Agency of International Cooperation for Development announced Wednesday that it would give 1 million euros (about 1.6 million U.S. dollars) to help China cover the quake losses.

(Xinhua News Agency May 16, 2008)