HONG KONG - WORLD powers and Asian neighbours rallied around China with sympathy and pledges of help after a massive earthquake that left tens of thousands dead, missing or trapped.

'The thoughts and prayers of the American people are with the Chinese people, especially those directly affected. The United States stands ready to help in any way possible,' President George W. Bush said in a statement.

The 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck on Monday near Chengdu, the capital of the southwestern province of Sichuan, flattening schools, factories and leaving nearly 10,000 dead, according to the official count.

'I extend my condolences to those injured and to the families of the victims of (Monday's) earthquake in China's Sichuan province. I am particularly saddened by the number of students and children affected by this tragedy,' said Mr Bush.

Hundreds were feared buried at Juyan Middle School in Dujiangyan city, about 50 kilometres (30 miles) from the epicenter, and rescuers have pulled about 60 bodies from the rubble so far.

Mr Bush's sentiments were echoed by China's neighbours, with close ally Pakistan expressing shock at the disaster.

'I am deeply shocked and grieved at the loss of precious lives of our Chinese brethren and damage to property caused by the severe earthquake that hit China,' President Pervez Musharraf said in a message to his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao.

'At this difficult time, we stand by the great Chinese people and assure them of our full support and solidarity.'

Japan said its rescue teams were on standby but expected that Beijing preferred to handle the disaster on its own.

'We are ready to send helicopters and rescue teams,' chief government spokesman Nobutaka Machimura said on Tuesday.

Japanese officials said that they had not received any requests from China.

'We want to provide whatever we can as our neighbour has suffered huge damage,' Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura told reporters.

'But we still have to see what the requests are. Some countries want to do things on their own,' Mr Komura said.

Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda had on Monday sent a message to Chinese leaders offering 'as much assistance as possible' following the devastating 7.8-magnitude quake.

The disaster came two days after Chinese President Hu Jintao closed a landmark visit designed to mend ties with Japan.

Taiwan, which China regards as a renegade province, also offered condolences and pledged support.

'We expressed our condolences and we are willing to assist in rescue missions and provide necessary humanitarian aid,' Prime Minister Chang Chun Hsiung said.

South Korean President Lee Myung Bak told his cabinet seek ways to help, while Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd extended sympathy.

'I have written to Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao this morning, expressing this and offering Australian assistance including the search and rescue capability of the states and territories of Australia,' Mr Rudd said.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy also offered support.

'I would like to let you know that I am deeply moved and would like to assure you of France's support for the Chinese people in this difficult moment,' Mr Sarkozy said in a letter to Mr Hu.

The European Union expressed sympathy over the massive loss of life.

'We share the grief of all those who have lost loved ones and express our heartfelt sympathies to those who have been injured and suffered heavy material losses in this catastrophe,' EU head Slovenia said in a statement.

Russia's new President Dmitry Medvedev offered help in a telegram to Hu.

'I ask you to pass condolences to the friends and family of the perished and wishes for a speedy recovery to all those who suffered,' he said.

'We are ready to help relieve the consequences of this emergency if needed.' German Chancellor Angela Merkel also offered condolences, and Canada said it was ready to send help.

'We are greatly saddened by the news that thousands lost their lives and that hundreds of children who were at school at the time are trapped in the debris,' said Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Bernier.

Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki said he was saddened by the disaster.

'On behalf of the government and the people of Kenya and on my own behalf, I send this message of condolence and encouragement to the government and the people of China following the tragic loss of lives as a result of the earthquake,' Mr Kibaki said in a statement.

Dalai Lama offers condolences, prayers for victims of China quake

'I would like to extend my deep sympathy and heartfelt condolences to those families who have been directly affected by the strong earthquake,' the Tibetan spiritual leader said in a statement.

'I offer my prayers for those who have lost their lives and those injured.'

Meanwhile, the Tibetan parliament-in-exile held a special Buddhist prayer session at their headquarters in the northern Indian town of Dharmsala.

'In this hour of Chinese national tragedy, our heart goes to brothers and sisters of the people of China and pray for an early recovery from the shock and difficulties that they have gone through,' said a statement from the parliament.

Aid welcomed: Chinese spokesman
The Chinese government says it welcomes foreign offers of quake aid. Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang told reporters on Tuesday that many countries had offered to help relief efforts from Monday's earthquake.

He said disaster authorities in China would make contact with relevant countries and organisations.

But the spokesman gave no specifics about what kind of assistance China would accept, such as whether it would include just aid supplies or letting in outside experts.

China said on Tuesday that conditions were 'not yet ripe' to allow foreign rescue teams into the country to help with earthquake relief, citing damage to transport links in affected areas.

'At this point, transporation in affected areas is still being obstructed and it is impossible even for our own rescue teams to reach the disaster-hit areas,' said Wang Zhenyao, head of the Civil Affairs Ministry's relief department.

'So the conditions are not yet ripe for us to allow international rescue teams into China or disaster-hit areas,' he told a news conference, when asked how China would respond to recent worldwide offers of help.

At least 11,921 people have been killed in the 7.9-magnitude earthquake that struck southwestern China on Monday, according to Wang. -- AFP