Civil defense workers and residents search through the rubble of collapsed buildings in the town of Harem near the Turkish border, Idlib province, Syria, Feb 6, 2023, after a powerful earthquake. (PHOTO / AP)

BEIJING – Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday sent messages of condolence to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad over strong earthquakes in the two countries.

Xi said that upon learning of the earthquakes, which caused heavy casualties and property losses in Türkiye and Syria, he would like to express deep condolences over the victims and offer sincere sympathies to the bereaved families and the injured on behalf of the Chinese government and people.

READ MORE: More than 1,400 dead as major quake hits Türkiye, Syria

He expressed the belief that under the leadership of President Erdogan and President Bashar, the two governments and their people will surely overcome the disaster and rebuild their homes at an early date.