The Chinese government has decided to offer disaster relief up to 5 million US dollars along with emergency supplies to the people in the the United States victimized by Hurricane Katrina, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said yesterday.

The Chinese government will also send rescue workers to help inmedical treatment and epidemic prevention in the disaster-stricken areas, if needed, said spokesman Qin Gang.

China will keep close contacts with the United States on the disaster relief work and join the international community in assisting the local people restoring their homeland, the spokesman said.

Hurricane Katrina hit the southern part of the United States on Aug. 29, causing heavy casualties and damages.

On Aug. 31, Chinese President Hu Jintao a telegram to US President George W. Bush, expressing sympathy and condolences to President Bush, the US government and people for their suffering caused by Hurricane Katrina, on behalf of the Chinese government and people.