BEIJING, Aug. 25 -- China is willing to provide assistance to quake-hit areas in Myanmar, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Thursday.

A magnitude 6.8 earthquake shook central Myanmar on Wednesday afternoon, killing at least four people.

As a friendly neighbor of Myanmar, China expresses its sincere sympathy to Myanmar's people for the lives lost and damage caused by the earthquake, spokesperson Lu Kang told a press conference.

Lu said that the Chinese Embassy in Myanmar has launched emergency procedures and issued a safety alert to Chinese citizens in the country.

There have been no report of Chinese casualties.