A powerful earthquake struck Nepal on the afternoon of April 25, causing heavy casualties and property losses. Some cities and counties in China's Tibet Autonomous Region also felt the tremors.

China follows closely the earthquake in Nepal, and expresses grave concerns and sympathies. President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang and Foreign Minister Wang Yi have sent messages of condolences to Nepali President Ram Baran Yadav, Prime Minister Sushil Koirala and Foreign Minister Mahendra Bahadur Pandey separately, extending their deep mourning to the victims and sincere solicitude to the bereaved families and the injured. China's International Rescue Team will set off for Nepal tomorrow morning to carry out disaster relief work. The Chinese government is mobilizing emergency relief supplies which will be delivered to the disaster-hit area in Nepal very soon.

India, Bangladesh, Bhutan and other countries are also affected by the earthquake to varying degrees and suffer from casualties and property damages. The Chinese government extends sincere sympathies to countries concerned and stands ready to provide assistance as its capacity allows.

The Foreign Ministry and the Chinese Embassy in Nepal have initiated the emergency response mechanism, doing their best to assist the wounded Chinese citizens and cope with matters concerning those killed in the earthquake. Emergency assistance on disaster relief from China to Nepal will also be coordinated.