South Korea is ready to send an emergency rescue team and relief aid to the quake-hit Qinghai Province of China should Beijing make a request for assistance.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Kim Young-sun on Thursday told a regular news briefing that the government is also monitoring the damage in the quake-hit region, China's responses and the international community's relief efforts.

The ministry also sent to Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi a message conveying Seoul’s deep condolences for the victims of the earthquake.

A magnitude seven-point-one earthquake struck Qinghai on Wednesday, leaving hundreds dead.