Special report: Strong Earthquake Jolts SW China

    MOSCOW, May 12 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev Monday sent a message of solace to Chinese President Hu Jintao over a disastrous earthquake in China's Sichuan province, expressing his sympathy with the quake-hit victims, Kremlin said.

    "Accept my sincere and profound condolences in connection with the May 12 earthquake in Sichuan province," Medvedev said in the message.

    Medvedev asked the Chinese leader to convey his words of solace to the relatives and friends of those who were killed in the quake and wished a speedy recovery of the survivors.

    "We are ready to help if necessary," said the message.

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