BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday sent messages of condolence to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad respectively over strong earthquakes in the two countries.

Xi said that upon learning of the earthquakes, which caused heavy casualties and property losses in Turkiye and Syria, he would like to express deep condolences over the victims and offer sincere sympathies to the bereaved families and the injured on behalf of the Chinese government and people.

He expressed the belief that under the leadership of President Erdogan and President Bashar, the two governments and their people will surely overcome the disaster and rebuild their homes at an early date.