Two Chinese friendship associations Saturday sent condolence messages to the people of earthquake-stricken Japan.

The China-Japan Friendship Association and the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries messages to seven Japan-China friendship groups and some local governmental groups.

The messages expressed sincere condolences to the Japanese people and deep mourning for those killed in Friday's massive 8.9 magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami.

The messages also expressed hopes that the people in the earthquake region overcome the disaster and rebuild their homeland as early as possible.

The two Chinese associations donated 100,000 yuan (15,400 U.S. dollars) to the quake zone in a gesture of supporting the quake-relief efforts.

A number of Chinese cities that have sister-city relationships with Japanese cities in the quake zone, also sent condolence messages.

According to Japan's public broadcaster NHK, the death toll was expected to be well over 1,000.