Bush pays condolences at Chinese embassy
WASHINGTON (AFP) — US President George W. Bush and his wife on Tuesday visited the Chinese Embassy to pay their respects to the thousands of victims of last week's devastating earthquake in Sichuan province.
"This natural disaster is very hard on many of your people, and we understand and we extend our deepest sympathies, pray for recovery and pray for the strength of those whose lives have been torn apart during this terrible tragedy," Bush told Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong after signing a condolence book.
The president and First Lady Laura Bush entered an embassy reception room and signed a book of condolence, with Bush writing that Americans "stand with you during this tragic moment as you mourn the loss of so many of your loved ones and search for those still missing."
"Our country stands ready to assist in any manner that China deems helpful," he added.
His wife wrote: "And with love and sympathy to the people of China from the people of the United States -- Laura Bush."
The Chinese government said Tuesday that the death toll from the earthquake had risen to 40,075, while the combined number of dead and missing was nearly 66,000.
There are at least 2.7 million people of Chinese descent in the United States -- the largest Asian immigrant group in the country -- according to 2002 census figures. Several Chinese-American groups have rallied to raise donations for earthquake victims.
On Sunday two US military planes carrying aid flew into southwestern China, the first time Beijing has accepted help from foreign troops since the earthquake struck.
China's official Xinhua news agency said that the US military aid totaled 1.6 million dollars.
