Earthquake relief supplies are offloaded from a helicopter in Longtoushan town of Ludian county, Yunnan province. [Photo/Xinhua]

British premium vehicle producer Jaguar Land Rover China became the first company in the automotive industry to respond to the post-disaster relief effort to assist residents of earthquake-hit Zhaotong county, in Yunnan province, with the announcement on Tuesday of a donation of 5 million yuan ($809,592).

"We extend our deepest sympathies to all of those affected by this terrible event," said Bob Grace, the company's regional president for greater China. "Jaguar Land Rover in China stands shoulder to shoulder with the affected people of Yunnan and supports the work of all those working to restore the area back to normal."

In keeping with the guiding principles of the newly established Jaguar Land Rover Dream Fund, the donated money will focus on school reconstruction and financial support for students.

Tu Meng, secretary-general of the China Youth Development Foundation, welcomed the donation. "Jaguar Land Rover is fulfilling its social commitment to Chinese society in a speedy and genuine way. We encourage more corporate citizens to join the effort to make the affected area a better place to live."

The company said it will continue to monitor developments and actively look for opportunities to offer further help and support in this time of need.

The company has, through its China Children and Youth Dream Fund, committed 50 million yuan over the next three years to young Chinese, in particular those coming from underprivileged backgrounds across the country.

The 2013 donation to Ya'an, also an earthquake-hit region in Southwest China, was used to build the Jaguar Land Rover Hope School.

The school will enable 400 students to study in a safe and hospitable learning environment once again after their junior high school suffered extensive damage in last year's earthquake.

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