The United Nations has praised the Chinese Government's experience in search and rescue work after a powerful earthquake struck southwestern Sichuan Province, killing more than a dozen people.

Expressing condolences over the deaths and devastation, Stephan Dujarric, spokesperson for UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, said at a press conference at the UN headquarters in New York on August 9 that the UN was ready to offer assistance, if requested.

A 7.0-magnitude quake hit Jiuzhaigou County in Sichuan, a popular tourist destination in the mountains on the eastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, on August 8, causing at least 19 deaths. Some 60,000 people were evacuated from the county.

Sichuan had witnessed a devastating earthquake in 2008 that killed thousands.

On August 9, a 6.6-magnitude earthquake was reported in Jinghe County in northwest China's Xinjiang, causing minor damage.

(Reporting from New York City)