China ready to offer assistance after Indonesia earthquake

BEIJING, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- China is concerned about the earthquake in Indonesia and is ready to provide assistance in accordance with Indonesia's needs, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said Monday.

"We express our deep condolences to the victims and sincere sympathies to the families of the deceased and the injured," Lin said at a daily media briefing in response to the 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Flores Island, Indonesia, on Aug. 15.

It is understood that some Chinese citizens have been injured in the earthquake, Lin said, adding that the Chinese Consulate General in Denpasar has activated its emergency mechanism to provide assistance to those affected.