Businesses from Taiwan and organizations representing investors from the island had contributed over 40 million yuan ($5.6 million) in cash donations and relief supplies to earthquake-stricken areas in Gansu province by Tuesday, a Chinese mainland spokesman said on Wednesday.

Expressing gratitude, Chen Binhua, a spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, told a news conference in Beijing that following the 6.2 magnitude earthquake that struck Jishishan county in Gansu last week, organizations and individuals in Taiwan had conveyed their concern and condolences to affected compatriots through various means.

He said the Association of Taiwan Investment Enterprises on the Mainland, Taiwan investors' associations in localities across the mainland, and multiple companies from Taiwan had donated funds and supplies to the disaster-stricken area. The companies included Want Want Group, Shanghai Karon Eco-Valve Manufacturing and Foxconn.

According to incomplete statistics, as of Tuesday, Taiwan businesses and organizations had donated over 40 million yuan in money and relief supplies, Chen said.

He said this once again demonstrated the "close familial ties" between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, illustrating the "unbreakable and unwavering kinship of compatriots who share common blood and stand together in times of need".

"We express our heartfelt gratitude for the concern and assistance provided by Taiwan organizations, individuals and the broad community of Taiwan enterprises and businesses," Chen said.