Setting aside tensions, the Taiwanese president offered aid to China after the deadly earthquake.

Taiwan’s fire department said it had assembled a search and rescue team of 160 people, four dogs, and 13 tonnes of supplies ready to go to China if requested. China has not said whether it will allow any overseas rescue teams.

Tsai has offered condolences to China before for disasters, including last year after an earthquake in Sichuan province.

Taiwan, which frequently suffers its earthquakes, sent a rescue team to China in 2008 after a massive earthquake struck the same province of Sichuan, killing almost 70,000 people and causing extensive damage.