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China rescuers ready for Japan quake

11 March 2011, 17:01 CET
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(HONG KONG) - US President Barack Obama sent condolences to Japan after its huge earthquake and tsunami Friday, as the United Nations, European Union and China joined Washington in offering help with relief efforts.

Concerned governments across the world said they stood ready to aid Japan in the wake of the 8.9-magnitude quake, which unleashed a devastating 10-metre (30-foot) tsunami that washed away homes and tossed ships inland.

"(First Lady) Michelle (Obama) and I send our deepest condolences to the people of Japan, particularly those who have lost loved ones in the earthquake and tsunamis," Obama said in a statement.

"The United States stands ready to help the Japanese people in this time of great trial. The friendship and alliance between our two nations is unshakable."

Ties between Beijing and Tokyo have been strained in recent months, but Chen Jianmin, head of the China Earthquake Administration, said authorities had already put relief personnel, equipment and medicine in place, "ready to depart for Japan at any time".

Premier Wen Jiabao expressed his "deep sympathy" to the Japanese government and people, and offered any "necessary help" to its neighbour, the foreign ministry said.

Hundreds are reported dead after the quake in northeast Japan, the strongest ever to hit the country, which was felt as far away as Beijing, some 2,500 kilometres (1,500 miles) away.

UN chief Ban Ki-moon said the global body would "do anything and everything" to help Japan while the EU said it would "mobilise all appropriate assistance". Its executive arm, the European Commission, has funds to deal with emergencies and can also mobilise equipment and experts in natural disasters.

European leaders arriving at an emergency summit on the crisis in Libya said their first thoughts were with Japan.

"The first thing is to offer sympathy and condolences to the Japanese people," British Prime Minister David Cameron said.

"We have had a terrible reminder of the destructive power of nature."

French President Nicolas Sarkozy said he "wanted to express our solidarity with the Japanese people.

"I want to tell all the Japanese people that France stands with you in this terrible catastrophe... We will send rescue teams, planes, whatever is needed to help."

Switzerland said it had offered to send aid to Japan. A team of humanitarian experts are ready to leave at short notice.

Australia's Deputy Prime Minister Wayne Swan said his country was ready to "assist Japan in any way at this difficult time", adding that its embassy was "urgently" contacting authorities to see if any nationals had been affected.

South Korea also expressed its sympathy and pledged "every possible support" to help Japan recover, adding that around 40 rescue workers had been put on standby to head to the quake-hit nation.

The Philippines, which was hit by small tsunami waves, said it was anxiously waiting for word on the condition of nearly a quarter million of its citizens living near the epicentre of the quake.

President Benigno Aquino offered his sympathy to Japan and pledged any assistance within the government's capability, recalling Tokyo's unstinting help in the Philippines' own struggles with natural disasters.

In South Asia, India conveyed sympathies and condolences to victims as well as offering assistance.

"We are saddened by the loss of life and extensive damage to property and infrastructure," the Indian foreign ministry said in a statement, adding that there were no reports of casualties among the 25,000 Indians in Japan.

Letters of sympathy with offers of assistance had been sent to Japan's prime minister and foreign minister, the statement said.

In Sri Lanka, President Mahinda Rajapakse said Japan was a "very close and dear friend" and its people possessed "incredible resilience and courage" to overcome destruction.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani also said his country was ready to help.

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