Chinese President Hu Jintao left Brasilia on Thursday for home after attending a summit of the BRIC nations -- Brazil, Russia, India and China, and paying a state visit to Brazil.

Hu headed home earlier than originally scheduled because of a strong earthquake in northwestern China that has killed at least 760 people. He postponed visits to Venezuela and Chile.

Before travelling to Brazil, the Chinese president took part in the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington on April 12-13.