Chinese stars including Andy Lau, Na Ying, Chyi Yu, Jackie Chan, Jiang Wenli and Elva Hsiao raise fund for drought-hit southwestern China during a telethon on April 3, 2010. [Photo: CFP]

A star-studded telethon held on Saturday to benefit drought-hit southwestern China raised more than 277 million yuan (US$40.6 million), Sina.com.cn reports.

The show rallied a range of entertainers from the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan, including Jiang Wenli, Na Ying, Jackie Chan, Andy Lau, Elva Hsiao and Chyi Yu.

Some of the stars gave live performances to show their support, while others volunteered to take pledges called in via phone.

A severe drought has been plaguing southwestern China's Guizhou, Sichuan, Yunnan, Guangxi and Chongqing, leaving 19.4 million people with water shortages, according to Xinhua news agency.