China on Friday expressed welcome and appreciation for Japan's additional offer of material aid to the country's quake-hit area.

The Japanese government announced on Friday an offer of another 500 million yen (about 4.7 million US dollars) in aid materials to China.

Japan planned to transport 1,200 tents to Sichuan by chartered flight as early as next week as the first batch of its additional assistance.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said China welcomed the aid and was grateful to Japan's decision to offer additional relief.

Japan originally provided 500 million yen in capital and material relief aid to China shortly after the devastating May 12 earthquake. The country also sent a rescue team and medical team to Sichuan Province in the following days.

(Xinhua News Agency May 31, 2008)