Special report: Strong Earthquake Jolts SW China

    BEIJING, May 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Monday night held telephone talks over the massive earthquake in China, during which Ban expressed his deep sympathy toward the quake's victims.

    Ban said upon learning that Sichuan province was hit by a severe earthquake, he, on behalf of the UN, expressed deep sympathy and sincere solicitude toward the Chinese government and people, and deep condolences over those killed.

    He also expressed his belief that the people in the disaster areas, under the strong leadership of the Chinese government and leaders, would overcome the difficulties caused by the quake and rebuild their homeland.

    The UN will spare no efforts in supporting China's disaster relief and reconstruction work, he added.

    Yang, beside extending his thanks to Ban, said he would pass on Ban's message to the people in the disaster areas as soon as possible.

    The minister said China's related departments are further assessing the damage caused by the quake.

    "We are confident that the Chinese people, under the strong leadership of the Chinese government, can overcome losses caused by the disaster, help residents in quake-hit areas rebuild their homes swiftly, and try to restore work and life as early as possible."

    The earthquake, measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale, jolted Wenchuan county of southwestern Sichuan province at 2:28 p.m. (0628 GMT) Monday, according to the China Seismological Bureau .

    The quake has killed 7,651 people in Sichuan alone and many others in some other provinces, according to local government sources.