Islanders’ thoughts and best wishes for the thousands affected by the Chinese earthquake have been conveyed via Sheppey MP Derek Wyatt.

Mr Wyatt signed a book of condolence on behalf of his constituents at the British Foreign Office in Shanghai while on a week-long visit to the city.

The Labour MP was one of 10 invited to Shanghai as part of an Industry and Parliament Trust (IPT) China fellowship initiative - ‘Understanding Business - the Chinese way’.

Over the course of the week, the visitors were shown around the 20 million-strong metropolis, saw the Olympic torch passing through the city at the end of its global journey, and visited a university that is considering adopting the English educational system.

So far, the Sichuan earthquake has claimed 80,000 lives and injured 350,000 others. It is estimated that up to 11 million people have been left homeless.

Mr Wyatt’s internet blog for the event said on Monday: “Last night there was an aftershock in Yingxia in the Sichuan province killing two, injuring a further 359 and causing the demolition of 270,000 houses. The whole area has been destroyed.”