The Chinese government will send 200,000 US dollars in cash to contribute the disaster relief in south Iran hit by a strong earthquake, announced Chinese Ministry of Commerce Thursday.

Latest news reports say at least 500 people were killed in a devastating quake that jolted southeastern Iran's Zarand, a small town in Kerman Province early Tuesday. The quake registered 6.4 on the Richter scale.

Chinese President Hu Jintao Tuesday sent a message of sympathy to his Iranian counterpart, Mohammad Khatami, over the heavy casualties and property losses caused by the quake.

In the message, Hu extended his sincerest regards to President Khatami and the relatives of quake victims and expressed his profound condolences over the death of the victims.