The German government announced on Tuesday that it is to provide 500,000 euros (around 770,000 U.S. dollars) in aid for earthquake victims in Sichuan Province of China.

The German government described the funds, to be sent via the German Red Cross, as a "first step" in its relief aid.

Earlier on Monday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier offered their condolences to China over the heavy loss of life in the powerful earthquake that hit China's southwestern province of Sichuan.

A strong earthquake measuring 7.8 magnitude struck Wenchuan county of Sichuan Province on Monday, leaving at least 12,000 people died and thousands more injured.

(Xinhua News Agency May 14, 2008)