Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has sent his condolence on the earthquake in China's Qinghai province, Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Thursday.

In a letter to Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, Lee said that he is "deeply saddened" to learn about the loss of lives and terrible destruction caused by the earthquake in Yushu County in Qinghai on the morning of April 14.

"On behalf of the Government of Singapore and all Singaporeans, I would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the government and people of China at this difficult time, especially those who have lost loved ones or have been injured because of this calamity. "

Lee said that he believes the rescue and relief efforts will be swift and that the Chinese people will be able to overcome this tragedy. "I wish those injured a speedy recovery and hope that the affected regions will return to normalcy before long," he added.

(Xinhua News Agency April 15, 2010)