Condolences continue to pour in after China quake

BEIJING, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Endless messages of condolence and support are pouring in from the international community after a strong quake hit China's northwestern province of Qinghai.

Numerous countries and organizations have sent condolences to the Chinese government and its people through statements or speeches, expressing their sympathy and offering assistance to quake-stricken areas.

In a phone conversation on Wednesday, Chinese Ambassador to the UN Li Baodong briefed John Holmes, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, on the latest developments in the quake zone and the Chinese government's rescue work.

Holmes expressed deep sympathy for the heavy casualties caused by the quake and admiration for the Chinese government's efficiency in organizing the earthquake relief work.

He said that he believed that under the strong leadership of their government, the Chinese disaster relief and reconstruction will prove successful.

UN humanitarian relief agencies will respond to the request of the Chinese government and provide necessary assistance at any time, Holmes added.

On Wednesday at the UN headquarters in New York, representatives from nearly 40 countries expressed their condolences to the Chinese government and its people through China's Permanent Mission to the UN.

Diplomats from the four other permanent members of the UN Security Council, namely France, Britain, Russia and the United States, and ten non-permanent members of the council including Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Gabon, Nigeria, Lebanon and Uganda, offered their condolences to China before opening a public debate on the situation in the Middle East.

Before making formal statements at the meeting, representatives from around 20 other countries including Argentina, Botswana, Jordan, Egypt, Syria, Cuba, Malaysia, Pakistan, Nicaragua, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Tunisia and Venezuela also expressed their condolences.

The White House issued a statement on Wednesday, extending "deepest condolences to the families of quake victims."

"The American people are saddened by the loss of life and the devastation caused by this disaster," it said.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with those injured or displaced, and all the people of China in this difficult period. We stand ready to assist in any way possible," the statement said.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued statements on the same day, sending condolences to the families of quake victims.

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued a statement on behalf of the Canadian government and people on Wednesday, sending his deepest condolences to the families of the quake victims and expressing sympathy and concern for persons missing in the disaster.

He said that at this critical moment, Canada is prepared to provide assistance to the Chinese people.

Canadian Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon also issued a statement, saying the Canadian government is deeply concerned about the people affected by the earthquake and wishes speedy recovery for those injured.

The Mexican foreign ministry said in a statement on Wednesday that it expresses "its deepest condolences to the relatives of the victims and its support and solidarity with the victims and the injured at this difficult moment."

Spain's Deputy Prime Minister Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega expressed sympathy and condolence with China through a phone call with China's Ambassador to Spain, Zhu Bangzao, on Wednesday. She stressed that the Spanish people will stand by the Chinese people in such a difficult time.

A 7.1-magnitude earthquake jostled Qinghai early Wednesday morning. The death toll has so far reached 589, with 10,000 others injured and some 100,000 displaced.