Canada extends condolences to China over NW China's earthquake

• Source: CCTV International
• [14:33 April 15 2010]
• Comments

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Wednesday extended condolences to the Chinese people over a strong earthquake that hit northwest China's Qinghai province early Wednesday.

"On behalf of the Government and people of Canada, I express my deepest condolences to the people of China at this difficult time," Harper said in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have lost loved ones and with those who are still missing."

Harper said Canada stands ready to provide support to the people of China during this time of need.

"Our officials in Beijing are contacting appropriate Chinese authorities to determine whether Canadian assistance may be required," he added.

In another statement, Canadian Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon expressed profound sympathies and sorrow to the families and friends of those killed and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.

"Canada is deeply concerned for the well-being of all those affected by this disaster," he said, adding that Canada has so far received no reports of Canadian deaths or injuries due to the earthquake.

A 7.1-magnitude earthquake hit the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Yushu in northwest China's Qinghai Province early Wednesday, leaving at least 589 people dead, and many others buried under the debris.

The epicenter was about 50 km west of Jiegu township, the government seat of Yushu prefecture, and about 800 km away from Xining, the provincial capital.

The prefecture, covering 267,000 square km, has a population of more than 252,700 people, 97 percent of whom are Tibetans, and 21,700 people are farmers and herdsmen.