Apple Donates $8 Million to Chinese Earthquake Victims

Following a devastating earthquake that struck in Sichuan, China over the weekend, Apple has donated 50 million RMB or approximately $8 million to affected victims.

In addition to the donation, Apple has also updated the front page of its Chinese website to express its condolences and to offer schools in the area new Apple devices. Tech In Asia has a translation of the message:

At this difficult time, our hearts are with the victims of the Sichuan earthquake. Aside from the cash donation to help the affected people to tide over their difficulties, we are committed to providing new Apple devices to schools in the disaster area, and Apple employees in the locality are on stand-by at any time to help.

Donations during disasters are not uncommon for Apple, with the company previously offering relief money to victims struck by tragedy on several occasions.

Apple has had a strained relationship with China in recent months, after the company's iPhone warranty policies were highly criticized in the country, though the tensions were relieved in early April when Apple CEO Tim Cook wrote a letter to customers announcing changes to the warranty policy.

The earthquake, which measured between 6.6 and 7.0, struck the city of Ya'an in the Sichuan province on Saturday, causing hundreds of casualties and widespread destruction.