Chinese President Hu Jintao on Tuesday sent a message of condolence to his Indonesian counterpart Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono after a strong earthquake struck the coast of Indonesia's Sumatra island.

Extending sincere sympathy for bereaved families in the region, the Chinese president said he believes the Indonesian government and people will succeed in tackling the consequences of the disaster under the leadership of President Susilo.

A sub-sea quake measuring 8.5 on the Richter scale struck the area some 90 kilometers southeast of the Sumatran island of Sinabang at midnight Monday. Casualties are estimated at up to 2,000.

Three months ago, a 9.0-magnitude quake off Aceh in the Indian Ocean unleashed a tsunami which struck 11 countries and left 220,000 people dead or missing in Indonesia alone.