Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Jiang Yu announces:

On August 16, a strong earthquake hit Peru, causing serious casualties and property loss. On the same day, President Hu Jintao, on behalf of the Chinese Government and people, wired Peruvian President Alan Garcia, expressing deep sympathy and condolences to the latter, the Peruvian Government and people. Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi also sent a telegragh of condolences to his Peruvian counterpart Jose Antonio Garcia Belaunde.

To help the Peruvian Government's disaster relief efforts, the Chinese Government has decided to provide emergency aid of 300 thousand US dollars in cash to the Peruvian Government. Before that, the Red Cross Society of China has already provided assistance of 50 thousand US dollars in cash to the Peruvian Red Cross.