San Francisco, Aug. 7, 2014, (People’s Daily Online)--Chinese Americans in San Francisco expressed their condolences to families who had lost loved ones in the earthquake in southwest China's Yunnan province on Thursday.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the people in Yunnan, where the earthquake destroyed buildings and killed our fellowmen there,” said David Sun, the first president of the Chinese Rotary Club in San Francisco.

 All the attendants stood in silent tribute for the victims of the deadly quake that jolted southwest China's Yunan Province. They prayed for earthquake stricken area with white flowers and candles.

Charles Liu, a local community leader said, “We endeavor to build up better communities here in the United States. However, the word ‘home’ brings us together, no matter how far it is.” Some singers in the San Francisco Bay Area also sang songs to express their condolences.

On August 3, a 6.5-magnitude earthquake hit the province's Zhaotong City and the death toll has risen to 615 so far.