Japanese

Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda extended his condolences to the quake-affected people in Sichuan, and said that he hoped they could resume their normal lives and reconstruct their homes soon.

FOREIGN HELPERS: Japanese rescue professionals arrive in Chengdu, capital city of Sichuan Province, to assist local disaster relief efforts on May 16. The 31-member rescue team is the first group of foreign aid personnel to China, following the devastating quake

Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani sent their condolences to China following the earthquake. "I am deeply shocked and grieved at the loss of precious lives of our Chinese brethren and damage to property caused by the severe earthquake that hit China," said Musharraf. "We are sure that the resilient people of China will recover from the aftermath of this disaster in the shortest possible time. At this difficult time, we stand by the great Chinese people and assure them of our full support and solidarity."

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd offered expert help, including the search and rescue capabilities of Australia, through Emergency Management Australia, on May 13, and expressed his country's sympathy.

Canada offered condolences to China over the heavy loss of life and property in the earthquake. "We are greatly saddened by the news that thousands lost their lives and that hundreds of children who were at school at the time are trapped in the debris," said a joint statement issued by Canadian Foreign Minister Maxime Bernier and Beverley Oda, Minister of International Cooperation. "Our thoughts are with the victims of this terrible tragedy and their families. Canada stands ready to help should China request any assistance in its humanitarian relief efforts."

World Bank President Robert Zoellick expressed his sympathy and condolences and said the bank is ready to provide support in various forms for China's rebuilding efforts.

Other leaders around the world and from international bodies also offered their condolences to China following the earthquake.

At a news briefing on May 13, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Qin Gang said the Chinese Government and people welcomed solicitude from other countries and international organizations and expressed heartfelt gratitude.

(Source: www.xinhuanet.com)

"The thoughts and prayers of the American people are with the Chinese people, especially those directly affected. The United States stands ready to help in any way possible."

-U.S. President George W. Bush

"My sympathy primarily goes to the families of the victims and I express the hope that many survivors can still be freed from the rubble by the rescue workers."

-European Parliament President Hans-Gert Poettering

"The thoughts and prayers of the government and people of South Africa indeed reach out to the government and people of China, and in particular to the families of those who have lost their loved ones."

-South African Foreign Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma

"I am deeply convinced that humanity and solidarity will help mitigate the suffering caused by this huge tragedy."

-Macedonian President Branko Crvenkovski

Letters From Readers

Dear Sir/Madam,

Since the past five years now, China has been an adopted motherland to me. It pains my heart to hear about the recent earthquake, which has jolted many families and caused such massive destruction. Since we have experienced this kind of a tragedy back in India a couple of years ago, I can very well understand how it feels to lose someone of our own or to lose property. Overnight there is no roof over one's head. Life all of a sudden comes to a standstill and becomes meaningless. One is in a state of shock and despair.

I want to make an earnest appeal to all fellow citizens or foreigners residing in this country to show their sympathy and donate generously to the noble cause of rebuilding and rehabilitating the people affected in this major accident.

 Due to language barriers and lack of information on my part, I write to you, with your wide range of contacts through offices across China, to help in starting this fundraising drive. By donating blood, camping equipment, clothes, medicine and foodstuffs, we cannot only provide relief to the victims, but also in a way help the Chinese Government, as at this juncture, the government has a lot of things to do. If we could mobilize and channel our resources, that would be a great help.