China is ready to extend humanitarian assistance to the Philippine government after a 7.0-magnitude earthquake jolts Abra on Wednesday morning.

“On behalf of the Chinese Embassy, I would like to extend my thoughts and prayers to the Philippine government and the Filipino people affected by this morning’s earthquake in Luzon,” Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian said in a statement.

“We are ready to extend helping hand to the Philippine side for disaster relief. I believe under the leadership of President Marcos Jr., the Filipino people will be able to overcome difficulties and resume normal life as soon as possible,” he added.

In a separate interview in Pasay City, Huang said the Embassy would wait for further information from relevant offices and assess the damages for possible disaster relief.

“We need to assess what kind of damages or any casualties but we hope there will be no casualties, no damage, but in case there is we will do our best to help,” he told reporters.

The quake rocked Lagangilang in Abra and was also felt in several parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said there is no tsunami threat from this but explained that earthquakes of this size “may generate unusual sea level disturbance” along coasts near the epicenter.

The quake hit Abra at 8:43 am, setting off small landslides and damaging structures in northern Luzon. (PNA)