A star-studded television fundraiser on the Chinese mainland was held in Beijing yesterday and raised more than 310 million yuan (about US$ 45 million) for victims of Taiwan's deadliest typhoon in half a century.

The name of the event is "Love Across the Straits." The more-than-four-hour fundraiser featured entertainment and sport stars from across the Taiwan Strait, such as actress Zhou Xun, sport star Lin Dan and singer Chyi Chin.

Sport stars renowned Chinese volleyball player Zhao Ruirui (L), volleyball coach Lang Ping (second from the left), Olympic fencing champion Zhong Man (second from the right) and Olympic weightlifting champion Zhang Xiangxiang (R) show their determination to help the victims in Taiwan. Stars work as volunteer telephone operator at the fundraiser. [CFP]

All the money raised at the fundraiser would be donated to the typhoon-battered Taiwan, where Morakot, the worst typhoon to hit Taiwan in nearly five decades, had claimed at least 141 lives.

According to Yang Yi, spokesman with the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, relief funds and materials donated from the Chinese mainland to Taiwan had already totaled 300 million yuan (US$ 44 million) by Wednesday night.

The donations included 270 million yuan in relief funds and 30 million yuan of relief materials, Yang said Thursday.