Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi on Sunday sent a message of sympathy to US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, after the American Midwest was hit by record flooding.

Yang expressed sympathy and sincere consolation over the recent severe flooding, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a brief press release.

Record flood waters have reportedly caused widespread damage and evacuations in Iowa and some other parts of the American Midwest.

(Xinhua News Agency June 16, 2008)