China on Thursday sent a 55-member rescue team to help with the relief efforts in Pakistan's flood hit areas. According to China Earthquake Administration, the team consist of 19 rescue workers, technicians and 36 medical workers today left for Pakistan. The team also carried about $1 million worth of relief materials, including medicine and medical equipment. China last night announced an additional $8.5 million aid to the flood victims of Pakistan. This was in addition to the $10 million aid given earlier. Also China on Wednesday dispatched relief supplies worth $2.94 million to flood-hit Pakistan. China's announcement of increasing aid to Pakistan comes in the back drop of comments by US Special Envoy to Af-Pak, Mr Richard Holbrooke, that the Chinese should step up to the plate considering their close relations with Pakistan. The death toll in the floods stands around 1,500 people, but the disaster ranks as one of Pakistan's worst ever because of the scale and massive economic damage.