German Chancellor Angela Merkel has expressed her condolences to Chinese Premier Li Keqiang over a deadly earthquake which jolted China's southwestern province of Yunnan on Sunday, a statement of the German government said on Monday.

In a condolence telegram sent to Premier Li, Merkel said she is "deeply saddened and shocked" by the loss of lives and that many others were injured in the earthquake.

She expressed her "deepest sympathy" to the relatives of the quake victims and hoped that the wounded can recover soon.

Merkel also said the German government is ready to extend support to help China cope with the aftermath of the quake.