Xi condolences for Solomons

President expresses support for Pacific island nation after earthquake strikes

Chinese President Xi Jinping sent condolences on Friday to the governor-general of the Solomon Islands, David Vunagi, over a strong earthquake that hit the Pacific island country this past week.

In a message of condolence to Vunagi, Xi said he was shocked to learn about the earthquake, and conveyed his sincere condolences to the Solomon Islands on behalf of the Chinese government and people.

Noting China and the Solomon Islands are good friends, good brothers and good partners who support and assist each other, Xi said the nation stands ready to help the people of the Solomon Islands to prevail over the disaster and rebuild their homes.

On Friday, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang also sent a message of condolence to the prime minister of the Solomon Islands, Manasseh Sogavare, over the disaster.

The earthquake, with a magnitude of 7, struck just after 2 am Greenwich Mean Time on Tuesday.

The Solomon Islands began a disaster assessment process to ascertain the scope and scale of the damage.

The Solomon Islands' National Emergency Operations Centre said on Wednesday that efforts had been concentrated in southwest Guadalcanal, where the capital Honiara is located.

A team from the emergency operations center has also established communications with local communities to gather information on the damage caused by the quake and to warn the people of the risk of aftershocks, the center said.

The quake injured three people in Honiara, and triggered landslides in parts of Guadalcanal, the center said.

The Solomon Times newspaper reported power had been cut for most of Honiara, as preliminary assessments of damage to power lines are made.

On Thursday, a second earthquake with a magnitude of 5.4 struck just after 9 am Greenwich Mean Time.

The quake's epicenter was at a depth of 10 kilometers.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian confirmed on Wednesday that there was no report of injuries among Chinese in the island country. China will provide support and assistance to the Solomon Islands in line with its needs, Zhao said at a regular news conference.