Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday expressed profound shock and sorrow at the loss of lives  in a strong earthquake in northwestern China.

In a condolence letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping, Sheikh Hasina said, "As a longstanding friend of China, the People and the Government of Bangladesh also join me in expressing their earnest sympathies at the hardship inflicted on the friendly Chinese people by this natural catastrophe." 

She also prayed for the early recovery of the injured people.

The Prime Minister expressed her confidence that China will successfully continue its rescue efforts under President Xi’s close guidance and and will soon restore normalcy to the lives of the people of Gansu Province.