China concerned about rising grain prices

BEIJING---- China said Thursday it is concerned about rising international grain prices and will provide $2 million to help the U.N. World Food Program provide aid to the world's poor.

China also is willing to work with the international community to deal with the challenge of higher grain prices, Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said. He did not provide details.

Last month, the World Food Program asked donors for an additional $755 million to fill the hole in its budget caused by rising prices and the poor's growing reliance on food aid. It said that figure could rise.

''The Chinese government is highly concerned'' about rising grain prices, Qin said, adding that China already has donated $2.5 million to the program.

The U.N. says millions of people around the world have been unable to buy enough food since prices began rising sharply at the start of the year.

President Bush has urged Congress to provide an additional $770 million for food aid and development programs.