Chilean president says 708 killed in earthquake
The Chilean government says the death toll of the magnitude-8.8 earthquake has reached 708 and is likely to increase as rescue goes on.
The president says food distribution will begin to help the affected people to stand up to the difficulties.
Also 10,000 troops of the Armed Forces and of the Chilean Police will be deployed in the affected areas to guarantee the security and to collaborate on the aid delivery.

China ready to deliver quake-relief assistance to Chile, FM spokesman
China says it is ready to provide emergency relief assistance to quake-hit Chile.
After the catastrophic earthquake, Chinese President Hu Jintao sent a message of condolence to his Chilean counterpart over the casualties and property losses.
Hu Jintao extended sincere condolences to the Chilean people and government as well as deep sympathies to the earthquake victims.
He said China was ready to offer emergency relief assistance to Chile to help those affected by the earthquake through their difficulties.

No report about Chinese casualties in Chile earthquake received: FM
China's foreign ministry says there has been no report about any deaths or injuries of Chinese nationals in Chile after the 8.8-magnitude quake.
It says the Chinese government is attaching great attention to the safety of Chinese institutions, Chinese compatriots and students in Chile. And a telephone hotline has been established for public consultation.
The Chinese Embassy in Chile is going all out to check the safety situation of Chinese nationals and offering assistance to those in need.

China remains largest holder of U.S. Treasury securities: report
China remains the largest foreign holder of U.S. Treasury securities as of the end of December according to a U.S. media report.
The report quoted the new government data as saying China held over 894 billion dollars in Treasury securities at the end of December, more than 755 billion dollars that had been previously estimated.
But the new report also shows China trimmed its holdings of U. S. debt by 34.2 billion U.S. dollars in December.
China defended its move to reduce its holdings of U.S. Treasury securities, saying the United States should take steps to promote confidence in U.S. dollar.

Chinese ship escorts released Greek ship
A Chinese naval vessel early Sunday morning conducted a successful mission of a released Greek merchant ship off the Somali coast, at the request of the Greek side.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry says in a statement that the merchant ship hijacked by Somali pirates in December 2009, is now on its way to the safe waters under the escort of the Chinese vessel.
The ship has one Greek and 18 Philippine sailors aboard.

Severe drought continues to ravage southwest China
Severe drought will continue to ravage southwest China as no major rainfalls are expected in the next three days.
The China Meteorological Administration (CMA) urges local governments in provinces of Yunnan, Guizhou and Sichuan, and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region to take necessary water-saving measures and to prevent forest fire.
Facing the lingering drought, the administration on Saturday switched on its level-3 response to meteorological disasters, asking local meteorological departments to closely watch the development of the disaster.

Chinese leaders attend Lantern Festival celebrations
President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao and other top Chinese leaders joined an evening party with representatives of intellectuals in Beijing to celebrate the annual Lantern Festival.
They attended the event featuring song-and-dance shows and rice dumplings, a traditional food for the festival.

China urges efforts to guard against fireworks-triggered disasters
China's State Council Work Safety Committee has urged all local governments and departments to ensure production safety and guard against serious accidents especially those caused by fireworks.
The circular was made Sunday after an explosion caused by fireworks killed 20 people and injured 49 in a Village in Guangdong Province two day's ago.
Local governments and relevant departments should step up efforts to monitor fireworks safety, according to the circular.

Chinese mainland to further open agricultural product market to Taiwan: ministry economist
The chief economist of Ministry of Agriculture says the Chinese mainland would ensure Taiwan's agricultural products to have more access to the mainland market following a series of favorable entry policies launched in recent years.

Two Korean tourists and a Chinese bus driver were killed after a bus carrying a tour group from South Korea collided with a heavy-duty truck in east China's Shandong Province.

Another 14 tourists and one Chinese guide were injured and were receiving treatment at a hospital.