The Chinese government will send Yin Weimin, Minister of Human Resources and Social Security, as a special envoy to attend the presidential handover ceremony in Chile on March 11.

Yin will attend the ceremony at the invitation of the Chilean government, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang told a regular press conference Thursday.

Sebastian Pinera won Chile's presidential election in January. He will replace Michelle Bachelet.

Qin Gang said Yin would exchange views with Chilean leaders on bilateral relations, and express the Chinese government's willingness to enhance friendly cooperation.

Qin said Yin might also discuss issues concerning the earthquake with the Chilean side.

"We will continue supporting the disaster relief efforts of the Chilean government and people," Qin said.

Saturday's 8.8-magnitude earthquake in Chile has killed at least 802 people.

No Chinese casualties had been reported, Qin said.

The Ministry of Commerce said Thursday that China would provide Chile with additional aid worth 2 million U.S. dollars in emergency relief materials.

The aid includes 700 tents, 10,000 blankets, 100 portable power generators, two water purification units. This batch of relief materials left China for quake-hit Chile Thursday afternoon.

The Chinese government sent 1 million U.S. dollars in financial assistance cash to the country Monday.