Jiang Yiman, executive vice president of the Red Cross Society of China (RCSC), on Sunday sent a letter of sympathy to Jahan Dad Khan, chairman of the Pakistan Red Crescent Society, over the strong earthquake that jolted the South Asian country on Saturday.

"I am shocked to learn that a devastating earthquake hit Pakistan, causing heavy damages to the lives and property of local people. On behalf of the Red Cross Society of China and my own behalf, I would like to extend to you and through you, to all the bereaved families and victims, our sincerest concern and sympathy," Jiang said.

"At this time of need, our hearts are with you. We strongly believe that with your leadership and your colleagues' efforts, the Pakistani Red Crescent will help the affected people overcome their hardships soon. We sincerely wish that the people of the affected areas would be able to return to their normal life in the shortest possible time," she said.

A quake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale hit Pakistan at 11:50 AM Saturday (Beijing Time). The epicenter was located about 95 km northeast to Islamabad, capital of Pakistan.

The earthquake, believed the strongest ever since the founding of Pakistan, caused damages to the central and northern parts of Pakistan. The quake has left at least 18,000 people dead and 41,000 others injured, a Pakistani military spokesman said on Sunday.

President Hu Jintao on Saturday sent a message of sympathy to Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf over the quake on behalf of the Chinese government and people and in his own name.

On the same day, Premier Wen Jiabao and Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing also extended sympathy to Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri, over the deadly quake.

The Chinese government on Sunday morning sent a 49-member international aid and rescue team to the earthquake-hit areas in Pakistan.

(Xinhua News Agency October 10, 2005)