Leaders extend sympathy to Chinese counterparts over major earthquake in Tibet

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam To Lam, President Luong Cuong sent letters of sympathy to General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Chinese President Xi Jinping. 

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh cabled a message of condolences to Chinese Premier Li Qiang, while National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man extended his condolences to Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China Zhao Leji.

The same day, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and Chairman of its Commission for External Relations Le Hoai Trung sent a similar message to Liu Jianchao, Chairman of the CPC Central Committee's International Liaison Department.

Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son also sent his condolences to Wang Yi, Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs and Minister of Foreign Affairs of China.

Chinese General Secretary and President Xi Jinping has ordered all-out rescue efforts to save lives and minimize casualties following the quake that took a heavy toll after jolting a county in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region Tuesday morning, according to a report by Xinhua - the official state news agency of China.

Xi also stressed the need to strengthen earthquake monitoring and early warning, promptly allocate disaster relief supplies, expedite the repair of damaged infrastructure, ensure the basic needs of residents are met, and guarantee a safe and warm winter for all,/.