BEIJING, March 16 (Xinhua) -- China on Monday pledged continuous disaster relief assistance to Vanuatu after a powerful tropical storm tore through the island on Saturday.

"We will pay close attention to the situation and continue to support Vanuatu," said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei at a regular press briefing.

He also extended sincere condolences to the people of Vanuatu.

The Red Cross Society of China has given humanitarian assistance of 100 thousand U.S. dollars to the South Pacific country, according to the spokesperson.

Vanuatu declared a state of emergency on Sunday after Cyclone Pam ripped through the island nation on Saturday, killing at least eight people