Chinese customs quickened entry procedures for relief materials and rescue personnel after a major earthquake measuring 8.0 on the Richter scale hit the country's southwest on May 12.

Customs offices nationwide had shortened clearance procedures for 268 shipments of quake relief materials and rescuers as of 3 p.m. Saturday, according to the General Administration of Customs.

On Saturday alone, 47 batches of overseas relief materials and rescuers arrived in areas ravaged by the quake.

The relief materials, including tents, food, medicine and water treatment facilities, came from more than 30 countries.

(Xinhua News Agency May 25, 2008)