国内英语新闻:Chinese leaders offer condolences over Russian fire victims

BEIJING, Aug. 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao on Monday sent a message of condolence to his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev over the forest fires that have killed more than 50 people in Russia.

In his message, Hu, on behalf of the Chinese government and the people, conveyed to Medvedev his profound condolences for the victims and sincere sympathies to the families of those killed in the blazes.

Hu said at this critical moment, the Chinese people are feeling the same as the Russian people do. China is willing to offer emergency disaster aid to Russia and support the Russians in fighting the wildfires.

He said he believes that the Russian government and the people, under the leadership of Medvedev, will overcome this natural disaster of exceptional magnitude and rebuild their homes at an early date.

Meanwhile, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Sunday sent a condolence message to Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin over the deadly wildfires.

Local media reported Sunday that areas under fire in central Russia has increased to 190,000 hectares and a total of 564 wildfire scenes were detected across Russia, as the country endured its hottest summer on record.