The Brazilian government on Wednesday expressed solidarity with China in the wake of a 7.1- magnitude earthquake that struck the western Chinese province of Qinghai and killed more than 500 people.

"The Brazilian government conveys its sympathy to the families of the victims and expresses its condolences to the Chinese government and people," Itamaraty, Brazil's Foreign Ministry, said in a statement.

The message came out on the eve of the arrival of Chinese President Hu Jintao in Brasilia for the Second BRIC Summit scheduled for Friday, which will gather the heads of state of the group comprising Brazil, Russia, India and China.

It was reported that the quake, which occurred early Wednesday morning local time, has killed over 500 people and injured about 10,000 others.

(Xinhua News Agency April 15, 2010)