US State Secretary Hillary Clinton on Wednesday offered sincere condolences to China in the wake of a major earthquake that hit the northwestern Chinese province of Qinghai and killed over 500 people.

"On behalf of the American people, I offer sincere condolences to the families who lost loved ones in this morning's earthquake in China's southern Qinghai Province," Clinton said in a statement released by the State Department.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with those injured or displaced, and all the people of China on this difficult day. The United States stands ready to assist," she said.

A 7.1-magnitude earthquake hit northwest China's Qinghai Province early Wednesday morning local time. The death toll has so far reached 589, according to the latest reports from local quake- relief headquarters.

(Xinhua News Agency April 15, 2010)