A plane carrying China's first batch of humanitarian aid to the United States for victims of Hurricane Katrina left Beijing Wednesday afternoon.

According to the information from the Ministry of Commerce, the relief goods include power generators, tents, bed sheets and child clothing, which are due to arrive in Houston, the United States, at 2:30 a.m. local time Wednesday.

Wang Hanjiang, head of the ministry's Department for Foreign Aid, said that China would send more relief goods to the hurricane-hit regions in the United States "if it is needed."

China announced last Saturday that it had decided to offer disaster relief up to 5 million US dollars along with emergency supplies to the US people victimized by Hurricane Katrina, and that if necessary the Chinese government would send rescue workers to help in medical treatment and epidemic prevention in the disaster-stricken areas.

Hurricane Katrina hit the southern part of the United States on Aug. 29, causing heavy casualties and damages. Chinese President Hu Jintao on Aug. 31 sent a telegram to US President George W. Bush, expressing sympathy and condolences to President Bush, the US government and people for their suffering caused by Hurricane Katrina, on behalf of the Chinese government and people.

Source: Xinhua