China on Saturday expressed sympathies to the Panamanian government and people in the affected region following a magnitude-7.6 earthquake that struck Panama on Friday.

As of now, there is no report of casualties involving Chinese nationals in the earthquake, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said, adding that the ministry and the Chinese Embassy in Panama will continue to closely monitor the situation and promptly provide necessary assistance to Chinese nationals in need. 

The ministry also reminded Chinese nationals in Panama to take precautions against secondary hazards caused by the earthquake.