The Chinese chamber of commerce in Angola said on Sunday it has decided to donate the first batch of 150,000 U.S. dollars to victims of the Ludian earthquake in southwest China's Yunnan province.

Chinese companies and expatriates in Angola offered deep condolences to the victims of the earthquake which claimed at least 617 lives and injured thousands of others, said Zhao Hongbing, secretary general of the chamber. The donation was expected to go on until net week and the money would be used to rebuild primary schools in Ludian.

Rebuilding the school system in the earthquake areas should be prioritized in the reconstruction efforts as education held the future for the affected children, Zhao Hongbing said.

The 6.5-magnitude earthquake hit Ludian on Aug. 3 and affected nearly one million people.