A plane carrying relief supplies left for China today upon directives by His Majesty King Abdullah II, to assist the victims of the devastating earthquake that rocked China's Sichuan Province last week.

Secretary General of the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization Mohammad Majed Al Aitan said the 10-tonne shipment includes medical and food supplies and tents from both the public and private sectors.

Al Aitan added that the organization, under His Majesty's guidance, will continue to carry out its role as Jordan's humanitarian ambassador to people in need of assistance.

The 7.9 magnitude earthquake was one of the worst quakes to ever hit China since 1976, leaving tens of thousands of people dead and many more injured.

China's Ambassador to Jordan, Gong Xiaoshing, expressed his country's deep gratitude to His Majesty, the government and people of Jordan for the relief aid. The Royal gesture, he added, is but a reflection of His Majesty's support for China in such dire conditions and will further enhance bilateral relations between both countries and peoples.

Since its establishment in 1990, the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization has sought to strengthen the principles of justice and equality and has provided relief services to 18 Arab, Muslim and other countries including Palestine, Algeria, Morocco, Sudan, Iran, Turkey, Bosnia and Herzegovina and several countries in Latin America and Asia.