France extended condolences to China after landslides killed hundreds of people in northwest China's Gansu province, the French Foreign Ministry said Monday.

"I'm deeply shocked by the disaster that hit China's Gansu Province, which affects more than 50,000 people," Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said in a statement.

"France extends its sincere condolences to the families and relatives of the victims and expresses its sympathy to the Chinese authorities and people," he added.

France is ready to respond, in a spirit of solidarity and in a European context, to any request for assistance made by the Chinese authorities, he said.

At least 337 people were killed by the landslides triggered by torrential rains, with 1,148 others still missing.

(Xinhua News Agency August 10, 2010)