The United Nations stands ready to help earthquake victims in China, UN Chief Ban Ki-moon's spokesperson Michele Montas said Thursday.

"The secretary-general is watching the situation there very carefully," Montas told reporters at the UN Headquarters.

"This is a terrible tragedy and the secretary-general offers his heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the victims and their families," she said.

"The United Nations stands ready to help in any way that the Chinese government might require," she added.

(Xinhua News Agency May 16, 2008)