BEIJING, Jan. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Red Cross Society of China (RCSC) has initiated an emergency response and sent relief materials and funds to the earthquake-hit areas of northwest China's Qinghai Province, the organization said Sunday.

The materials included 500 tents, 1,000 quilts and 1,000 items of clothing, the RCSC said in a statement.

The 6.9-magnitude earthquake jolted Menyuan County in Qinghai Province at 1:45 a.m. Saturday (Beijing Time).