KATHMANDU - Nepalese President Ram Baran Yadav has expressed gratitude to the Chinese government and people for supporting his country after a powerful earthquake hit the Himalayan country.

"I would like to extend my sincere thanks and gratitude to the people of China...for the support that we have got here in this difficult time of natural calamities," said President Yadav in his office, which was also partly damaged in the quake.

The president praised the expertise of the Chinese quake-relief teams and said he hoped that the Nepal government would further coordinate with the Chinese government to overcome the calamities.

A 62-member Chinese search and rescue team was among the first to reach quake-hit areas in Nepal, after the nation was hit by a devastating 7.9-magnitude quake Saturday. They are followed by more teams from Chinese governmental and civil organizations, bringing much-needed life-saving equipment and materials.

As of Friday, China has earmarked two rounds of humanitarian aid worth 60 million yuan (9.7 million U.S. dollars) for Nepal.

More than 350 Chinese engineers, medical doctors and rescue workers are now working in Nepal to save lives and help the quake- ravaged country overcome the calamities, according to Wu Chuntai, Chinese ambassador to Nepal.

The Chinese government and the Chinese people are standing with Nepal and its people at this time of great difficulties, said Wu.

The death toll of Saturday's devastating earthquake in Nepal has climbed to 6,250 while 14,357 people were injured, Nepal's Ministry of Home Affairs said in its latest update Friday.