The World Bank has approved loans of $510 million to Sichuan and $200 million to Gansu for earthquake reconstruction projects.

The funds will be used to support China's master plan for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of regions devastated by the Wenchuan earthquake on May 12 last year, the bank said in a statement on Friday.

The World Bank funds will primarily be used to rebuild infrastructure - roads, bridges, water supply and sewerage systems - and health facilities in the two provinces, and to redevelop Gansu's education facilities.