英语文摘：Int'l community promises new aid to Chile, looting occurs in quake-hit zones

CONCEPCION, Chile, March 1 (Xinhua) -- The international community has promised aid to Chile, where an 8.8-magnitude quake hit its second largest city of Concepcion that has left more than 711 people dead, while rescuers are desperately trying to find more survivors within the first 72 hours after the quake.

In the meantime, looting has been reported in Concepcion, and parts of the capital Santiago.

On Monday, the United Nations said Chile has asked the international community to provide aid, and the world body is ready to carry out rescue efforts in Chile and to help the country in its reconstruction process.

A policeman tries to keep order as people run away with looted merchandise in the quake-devastated Concepcion, Chile, March 1, 2010. Chilean security forces Monday arrested dozens of looters in Concepcion as hundreds of looters ransacked shops for food and other goods. The 8.8-magnitude quake occurring Saturday has killed over 700 people in Chile.

The Chinese government has decided to offer a 1-million-U.S.-dollar emergency humanitarian aid to Chile, Yao Jian, spokesman of the Ministry of Commerce said Monday.

Yao said that the Chinese government is watching closely the developments in Chile, and will provide various forms of humanitarian aid to meet the needs of the quake-hit zones.

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano said on Monday that his country will provide 3 million dollars in emergency aid, and supplies worth up to 30 million yen (336,000 dollars) to Chile, such as emergency tents, water purifiers and power generators.

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso has announced that the European Union is in a position to give 3 million euros (around 4 million U.S. dollars) to help meet the most urgent needs following the devastating earthquake in Chile.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies have promised to release 300,000 Swiss francs (279,000 U.S. dollars) from its emergency funds to help with relief efforts in Chile.

The first batch of foreign medical supplies -- sent by Argentina -- arrived in Chile on Sunday, according to the Chilean government.