President Hu Jintao meets with Japan's Ambassador to China at Japan's embassy in Beijing, March 18, 2011. [Photo/Xinhua]

BEIJING - Chinese President Hu Jintao paid a visit to the Japanese embassy in Beijing Friday afternoon to convey a message of condolences for the victims of last Friday's massive earthquake and ensuing tsunami in Japan.

Hu told Japanese Ambassador Niwa Unichiro that, on behalf of the Chinese government and people, he extended his sincere sympathies to the Japanese people as well as condolences to the victims of the earthquake.

As China and Japan are neighboring countries separated by a narrow strip of water, the Chinese people deeply felt the pain that the Japanese people are suffering, said Hu.

China is helping in the quake relief work, and will continue to provide necessary assistance to Japan, he told the ambassador.

"We believe that the Japanese people will certainly overcome the difficulties and rebuild their homeland," Hu said.

Hu also thanked the Japanese government for offering help to the Chinese citizens in the quake-stricken areas under such a difficult situation.

Ambassador Niwa also thanked President Hu for visiting the Japanese embassy despite of his busy working schedule.

Niwa said the Japanese government and people sincerely thanked the Chinese government and people for the condolences and relief assistances, including sending a 15-member international rescue team and providing various relief materials.