An official delegation of the Macao Special Administration Region (SAR) government Saturday flew to China's quake-stricken Sichuan province with the task of coordinating the SAR's funding of the reconstruction projects there.

The delegation, headed by the SAR's Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Chui Sai On, comprises 17 members and will stay in Sichuan for three days.

The delegation members will meet with Sichuan provincial officials discussing details of the reconstruction projects that are being considered by Macao for financial support. The SAR officials will also take a field trip, studying the situation of part of the projects.

Previously, the Sichuan provincial government has recommended 37 reconstruction projects to the SAR government for assessment on account of financial support.

The SAR's Chief Executive, Ho Hau Wah, announced on Thursday that his government will spend 5.5 billion patacas (US$688 million) in the next three to five years funding the rebuilding of quake-stricken Sichuan.

In addition to direct funding, the SAR government will also work with Sichuan provincial government in a bid to help the scenic southwestern China province rejuvenate its tourism industry.

On Saturday, local flagship airline, Air Macao, resumed its direct flight service to Chengdu, capital of Sichuan, as a measure to help boost visitor arrivals to Sichuan. The airline said that it will operate three flights to Chengdu starting from September this year.

Macao has already sent three medical teams to the quake- stricken area in Sichuan for relief operations respectively on May, June and July this year.

(Xinhua News Agency August 16, 2008)