President Bush has spoken by phone with Chinese President Hu Jintao on the powerful earthquake that hit central China.

White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said the president expressed his condolences on the thousands of deaths in the quake and offered to assist where possible. She said the U.S. is offering an initial $500,000 in earthquake relief in anticipation of an appeal by the International Red Cross.

Bush also raised with Hu the turmoil in Tibet and noted the recent meeting in China between government officials and representatives of the Dalai Lama. He encouraged the Chinese government to continue such contacts and, Perino said, “engage in substantial dialogue so that long-standing issues with regard to Tibet may be resolved.”