Information Minister and acting Foreign Minister of the interim Palestinian government Riyadh al-Maliki visited the Office of the People's Republic of China in the Palestinian Territories Sunday to offer his solace and condolences over last week's deadly earthquake in China's southwestern province of Sichuan.

During his talks with Yang Weiguo, head of the office, al-Maliki said he was shocked by the enormous loss of lives and property caused by the disaster that hit Sichuan on May 12.

On behalf of the Foreign Ministry of the interim Palestinian government, al-Maliki asked Yang to convey his sincere solace and condolences to the Chinese government and people.

The Palestinian diplomat also expressed his confidence that China will overcome the disaster.

More than 32,000 people have been confirmed dead in the quake, measuring 8.0 on the Richter scale.

(Xinhua News Agency May 19, 2008)