The Chinese government has decided to offer US$200,000 in cash to Iran as part of an earthquake relief effort, the Ministry of Commerce announced Thursday.  

Latest news reports say at least 500 people were killed in a devastating quake that jolted southeastern Iran's Zarand, a small town in Kerman Province early Tuesday. The quake registered 6.4 on the Richter scale.

President Hu Jintao Tuesday sent a message of sympathy to Iranian President Mohammad Khatami over the heavy casualties and property losses caused by the quake.

In the message, Hu extended his sincerest regards to President Khatami and the relatives of quake victims and expressed his profound condolences over the death of the victims.

(Xinhua News Agency February 25, 2005)