The UN's top human rights official Louise Arbour has expressed her thanks to the Chinese government for its recent donation to her office, the Chinese mission to the UN Office in Geneva (UNOG) said on Wednesday.

Arbour, the UN high commissioner for human rights, said China's donation was not only a contribution to important human rights activities, but also a demonstration of China's commitment to the spirit of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the mission said in a statement.

The high commissioner added that she would called on other countries to follow China's suit and actively support the world human rights cause, according to the statement.

The Chinese government made the donation of 20,000 US dollars to Arbour's office on Dec. 31, 2007, following an appeal by the high commissioner for voluntary contribution on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The amount will be used for anti-racism activities in South Africa.

This was China's first donation to Arbour's office. It showed that China attaches high importance to the UN's human rights activities and it firmly supports the human rights cause of developing countries, the Chinese mission said.

(Xinhua News Agency January 17, 2008)