China on Wednesday expressed condolences to the victims in the magnitude-7.1 quake that struck Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture on Tuesday.
Mao Ning, a spokeswoman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, responded to a media query about the strong quake at a daily press briefing in Beijing.
"We are closely following the earthquake that struck Kumamoto Prefecture in Japan. We express our condolences to the victims and extend our sympathies to the bereaved families and the injured. The Chinese Embassy and Consulates in Japan have immediately activated their emergency response mechanisms and issued consular notices, urging Chinese citizens in Japan to remain vigilant against tsunamis and aftershocks. China's Foreign Ministry and its diplomatic missions in Japan will continue to closely monitor the situation and provide timely assistance to Chinese citizens in need," she said.
The magnitude-7.1 quake struck Kumamoto at 16:27 local time Tuesday (1927 GMT) at a depth of about 10 kilometers, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.
At least 13 people have been confirmed dead, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Wednesday.
China expresses condolences over Kumamoto quake victims: spokeswoman
