Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing sent a message to US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Monday, to express his condolences over the losses in the US state of Florida during the storms and tornadoes early last Friday.

Killer storms and tornadoes struck central Florida hours before dawn on February 2, killing 20 people and destroying hundreds of homes.

At least US$68 million worth of property losses were reported, and around 1,300 homes and buildings were damaged during the storms.

(Xinhua News Agency February 9, 2007)