BEIJING, May 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao sent a message of condolence on Wednesday to his Vietnamese counterpart, Tran Duc Luong, over the heavy casualties and property losses caused by the violent typhoon Chanchu.

    In the message, Hu, on behalf of the Chinese government and people, offered sincere sympathies to President Luong, the Vietnamese government and sufferers in disaster-stricken areas.

    The Chinese president said the two peoples of China and Vietnam, as friendly neighbors, have enjoyed a profound friendship, adding that China's maritime rescue departments will continue to help search and rescue endangered Vietnamese fishermen.

    "I believe that under the leadership of the Vietnamese party and government, the Vietnamese people in disaster-hit areas will undoubtedly overcome losses caused by the typhoon and restore their normal life at an early date," Hu said.

    Typhoon Chanchu, which means "pearl," formed in the Pacific, about 550 km east of Mindanao island in the Philippines on May 9. It hit the central Philippines, before moving to central Vietnam, leaving hundreds of Vietnamese fishermen dead or missing. Enditem