The Chinese government and Red Cross Society of China will offer emergency humanitarian aid to Venezuela and China is willing to provide more support according to how the disaster situation develops, Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Friday at a routine press conference in Beijing.

File photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

A pair of powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday, killing at least 235 people and trapping hundreds under rubble.

According to the spokesperson, the Chinese government has extended sympathies to the Venezuelan government and its people and the Venezuelan government has responded with gratitude.

The spokesperson confirmed that two Chinese citizens lost their lives in the earthquakes and that the Chinese embassy in Venezuela is investigating the status of Chinese people in the country and will actively provide necessary assistance.

The spokesperson also warned Chinese citizens to be aware of secondary disasters stemming from the earthquakes.