The United States has stepped up humanitarian support to China in the aftermath of the May 12 earthquake in Sichuan province, providing more than $815,000 in assistance that includes specialized search, rescue and recovery equipment, according to the U.S. Agency for International Development.

"As part of this effort, a nine-person USAID team of specialists will travel to China to train local rescue workers on the use of this equipment. This brings total USAID assistance to China to more than $1.3 million," the agency said May 19.

The equipment is expected to arrive in Chengdu, the capital of the mountainous province, May 21. It will include saws, hand tools, hydraulic gear, concrete cutters, generators and personal safety equipment, USAID says.

President and Mrs. Bush visited the Chinese Embassy in Washington May 20 to sign a book of condolences for China's earthquake victims.

"We've come to express our country's condolences for those who mourn for the loved ones. We stand ready to help in any way that the Chinese government would like," Bush said.

"Natural disaster is very hard on many of your people. And we extend our deepest sympathies and pray for recovery and pray for the strength of those whose lives have been torn apart during this terrible tragedy," he said.

On May 12, a magnitude 7.9 earthquake struck Wenchuan County in China's Sichuan province. Aftershocks have continued, but in lessening magnitude, authorities have reported. China began an official three-day mourning period for earthquake victims May 19.

According to the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, the earthquake caused approximately 500,000 buildings to collapse throughout the province.

"USAID will continue to monitor the situation and coordinate with the government of China in order to provided needed assistance to those affected by the earthquake," the agency said. Assistance is being provided to China as the government makes requests of the United States, but USAID and the U.S. military stand by to deliver additional assistance, U.S. officials say.

In addition, the U.S. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency is providing satellite images of the earthquake-stricken areas of Sichuan province to the Chinese government to assist in damage assessments. The imagery support follows two U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster cargo jets that flew supplies into China May 18. The cargo, delivered to Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, included food, water containers, blankets, lanterns, generators and hand tools from U.S. military relief stocks in Hawaii and Guam, the Pentagon said May 19.

The Chinese government said the number killed has reached 40,000 and another 32,000 are missing, according to state news agency Xinhua. Chinese authorities previously said they expected the final death toll to exceed 50,000.