Leavitt, who was visiting the Port of Shanghai on Monday when the earthquake hit, didn't feel any shaking, he said in a statement emailed from the province.
"It was felt in the upper floors of our hotel, but not at the port," Leavitt said.
Tuesday, Leavitt huddled with Chinese Health Minister Chen Zhu in a previously scheduled meeting and discussed the earthquake and its aftermath.
"He is fully engaged in the recovery efforts," Leavitt said. "The Chinese are deploying rescue teams to save as many lives as they can, and health teams to treat the survivors."
Leavitt echoed President Bush's offer to help in any way possible.
"I expressed the condolences of the American people," Leavitt said. "Dr. Chen expressed his gratitude that the United States is a friend in their time of need."
