BEIJING, Dec. 26 (Xinhuanet) -- President Hu Jintao on Sunday sent messages to leaders of seven Asian countries hit by the tsunami to offer condolences to the victims.

    In separate messages to Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Indian President Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam, Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga, Bangladesh President Iazuddin Ahmed, Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, King of Thailand Bhumibol Adulyadej, Malaysian Supreme Head of State Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Syed Putra Jamalullail, President Hu offered condolences to victims of the disaster on behalf of the Chinese government and people.

    Hu said he believed governments and peoples of these countries can overcome the difficulties and rebuild their homeland.

    The president also ordered the Chinese Foreign Ministry to gather information on Chinese citizens affected by the tidal waves and offer assistance to them.

    An earthquake, measuring 8.9 on the Richter Scale, was registered Sunday west of the Indonesian island of Sumatra, triggering tsunami, or tidal waves, in south and southeast Asia.

    More than 6,000 people in Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Maldives, Thailand and Malaysia have been killed by the waves. Enditem