2nd batch of water purifying materials offered to Russia

BEIJING, Dec. 16 (Xinhuanet) -- China has decided to provide Russia with the second batch of water testing and purifying materials to help combat water pollution, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said here Friday.

These materials include two chromatographic instruments and 1,000 tons of activated carbon.

"China hopes that these materials, which are being transported to Russia, will help clean up the water," said spokesman Qin Gang.

Qin said that since the pollution of the Songhua River took place last month, China, in a highly responsible and friendly spirit, has offered six pieces of water quality testing equipment and 150 tons of activated carbon to Russia in the shortest possible time.

"The move of China's was welcomed by Russia," he said.

China's decision to provide more anti-pollution materials to Russia demonstrates its sincerity and determination to eliminate the water pollution, said the spokesman.

"We are ready to increase contacts and consultations with the Russian side and take effective measures to minimize the impact of the pollution," he added.

The pollution of the Songhua River was caused by explosions at a petrochemical plant on Nov. 13 in northeastern China's Jilin Province, which released benzene and nitrobenzene into the river.

The Songhua River joins the Heilong River that flows down to the city of Khabarovsk in Russia's Far Eas