The Philippine government on Thursday expressed its condolences to the victims of the magnitude 7.1 earthquake in northwest China's Qinghai province after the death toll reached 617.

"We condole with the victims of the China earthquake and offer services we can extend," deputy presidential spokesman Gary Olivar said.

Olivar said the Department of Foreign Affairs is coordinating any possible assistance that could be given to the northwestern province of China.

He also said Manila is relieved that no Filipinos were hurt during the strong quake, which jolted Qinghai's Yushu prefecture on Wednesday morning.

(Xinhua News Agency April 15, 2010)