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.