Foreign Ministry: No Chinese nationals have been injured or killed in Türkiye earthquake so far

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said at a regular press conference today (Feb. 7) that China is very concerned about the damage caused by severe earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria.

President Xi Jinping sent messages of condolence to Turkish President Erdogan and Syrian President Bashar, expressing heavy condolences to the victims and sincere sympathy to the families of the victims and the injured, believing that the Turkish and Syrian people will be able to overcome the effects of the disaster and rebuild their homes as soon as possible.

Mao said that after the earthquake, the Chinese embassies in Türkiye and Syria immediately issued consular reminders and activated emergency mechanisms to fully understand and verify the safety of Chinese compatriots, Chinese-funded institutions and personnel.

"No casualties among Chinese nationals have been reported for the time being, and Chinese compatriots in Türkiye and Syria will continue to be reminded to take precautions against secondary disasters caused by the earthquake," said Mao.

Mao also said that the Chinese government has activated the emergency humanitarian aid mechanism at the earliest opportunity and will provide an initial RMB 40 million in emergency aid to Türkiye, including the dispatch of heavy-duty urban rescue teams and medical teams, as well as the provision of urgently needed relief supplies to Türkiye and the speedy implementation of ongoing food aid projects.