Messages of condolences from across the world have been pouring into China following the major earthquake that jolted Sichuan Province in the country's southwest on Monday.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev expressed his solace to the relatives of those killed in the quake and wished a speedy recovery of the injured.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin also offered sincere condolences to the victims, saying that Russia is ready to provide necessary assistance to the relief efforts in China.

Lao President Choummaly Sayasone and Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh sent a jointly-signed letter of sympathy to the Chinese government, expressing their belief that the Chinese people, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China and the Chinese government, will surely get over the damages caused by the earthquake and restore their normal life at an early date.

South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak sent deep condolences to the quake victims and offered solace to the injured and the relatives of the victims, hoping that the rescue and relief efforts would carry on smoothly.

Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding sent his most sincere solace to the Chinese government and people, and expressed deep regret over the heavy casualties left by the tremor.

He offered support for the relief efforts in the aftermath of the quake and offered his well wishes to the Chinese people.

Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda Baldwin Spencer also expressed his solace and sympathy with the Chinese government and people. He expressed the belief that with unity, indomitable spirit and a strong will, the Chinese government and people are surely able to restore to normal the life in the disaster-stricken area in the shortest period of time.

Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni also extended his condolences to the Chinese side.

The 7.8-magnitude quake rocked Wenchuan County, 159 km northwest of the southwest province's capital of Chengdu, at 14:28 PM (0628 GMT) on Monday, killing thousands of people in eight affected provinces.

(Xinhua News Agency May 13, 2008)