BEIJING, Dec. 27 (Xinhuanet) -- Chinese Foreign Ministry set up a hot line, 86-10-65963511, Monday to help the public learn information about their Chinese relatives and friends in South andSoutheast Asian areas affected by earthquake and tsunamis.

    One tourist from China's island province of Taiwan has been confirmed dead in tsunami-hit Thailand, according Foreign Ministry sources. No other casualty of Chinese citizen in the disaster-hit areas was reported.

    The Foreign Ministry and Chinese embassies and consulates in the affected countries are taking immediate actions to extend assistance to Chinese citizens in those areas.

    The death toll in Sunday's strong earthquake and tsunamis in the Indian Ocean off Asian coasts has reached 16,154, according tolocal reports.

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