BEIJING – China stands ready to do its best to provide emergency humanitarian assistance and support to the affected area in Myanmar in light of their need to help people there carry out disaster relief and rescue and pull through this trying time, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Friday.

A spokesperson for the ministry made the remarks when asked to provide more information about Chinese casualties in the 7.9-magnitude earthquake in Myanmar and China's assistance in disaster relief and rescue efforts.

Noting Myanmar is China's friendly neighbor, the spokesperson said China is closely following the situation after the earthquake and extends sincere sympathies to Myanmar.

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"We hope and believe that the government and people of Myanmar will overcome difficulties and rebuild their home at an early date," said the spokesperson.

After the earthquake, the Chinese Embassy and Consulate-General in Myanmar immediately activated the emergency response mechanism and released relevant consular notice.

They fully gathered and verified information to find out if any Chinese institutions, companies or nationals have been affected, the spokesperson said, noting that so far, no deaths have been reported among Chinese nationals there.

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"The people of China and Myanmar enjoy a profound 'pauk-phaw' (fraternal) friendship. We feel for the people of Myanmar over the disaster," added the spokesperson.

A rescue team from southwest China's Yunnan province arrived at Yangon, Myanmar, early on Saturday to help with the rescue operation.