BEIJING - China has initiated an emergency humanitarian aid plan to quake-hit Nepal, China's Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said late Saturday in a brief statement.

A massive 8.1-magnitude earthquake struck Nepal at 2:11 p.m. Saturday Beijing time. The quake have caused heavy casualties and serious economic losses, according to media reports. The Nepal government has called for international communities through diplomatic channels to offer emergency help.

The MOC pays high attention to the major disaster and Nepal's aid requests and has started an emergency humanitarian aid plan, according to the statement.

Details of the plan will be formulated after discussions with relevant departments and relief materials will be prepared, said the MOC, adding that it will deliver necessary emergency humanitarian aid in time according to the Chinese government's decision.

Reports showed some 1,800 people have been killed in the powerful earthquake and the death toll is expected to rise further. Some 5,000 people were also injured.