South Korea decided to offer emergency relief aid of US$1 million to China's northwestern province of Qinghai hit by a 7.1-magnitude earthquake Wednesday, Seoul's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said in a press release Friday.

The government is maintaining a close eye on the damage caused by the earthquake, and has been ready to dispatch an emergency rescue team or send relief supplies to China, the press release said.

After consulting with the Chinese side, the government has decided to offer its aid in cash, it added.

The ministry informed the Chinese Embassy here of the government's decision.

The 7.1-magnitude quake, which struck the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Yushu in southern Qinghai Province early on Wednesday, has left 791 dead, 11,486 injured and 294 missing.

The earthquake has also toppled 15,000 residential buildings and forced 100,000 residents to be relocated, according to the rescue headquarters.

(Xinhua News Agency April 17, 2010)