BEIJING, April 3 (Xinhua) -- The Red Cross Society of China has provided emergency aid in cash to the Red Cross Society of Solomon Islands, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said here Tuesday.

    China expressed its condolences for the loss and casualties caused by the earthquake catastrophe in the Solomon Islands, Qin told a routine press conference.

    He confirmed there has been no report of Chinese casualties up to date in the earthquake, adding that the Chinese government will keep a close eye on the situation.

    A series of earthquakes, the largest reported registering 8.1 on the Richter Scale, struck the Western Province of Solomon Islands early Monday morning, triggering tsunami waves that caused further damage.

    Currently near 20 people are confirmed dead but the death toll is expected to rise.