Condolences from home and abroad

As a foreigner living in China and someone who has been warmly welcomed by the Chinese people, I want to say how saddened I am by this tragedy.

Doubly so because a few months ago my family and I were in the area to visit the panda reserve at Wolong.

Fortunately, the Chinese authorities have responded so swiftly and I wish them the very best in their efforts to free those who still remain trapped.

Martin Wood, Shijiazhuang

on China Daily website

I lived one full year in the town of Wenchuan, teaching at Aba Teachers' College from 2006 to 2007. In July 2007, I returned to Europe and am now in Brussels.

I cannot say how sad and worried I am. I have so many wonderful friends in Sichuan and I know so many nice people there. I visited some unique villages, which are many centuries old, and traveled through the steep roads bordering mountain rivers.

All these happy memories are wrecked by the terrible tragedy. If I can do anything to help, please tell me.

Claudia in Brussels

on China Daily website

A powerful earthquake struck China on Monday and we in India felt the tremors in our hearts. We were not only shocked but dumbstruck at the news as it unfolded hour by hour. We pray to God to give strength and courage to all of you to bear the losses of lives and we share the grief of your nation with the most heartfelt sorrow.

You are a nation with a glorious past and have been a winner, despite many such and even bigger disasters. You have defied nature in many ways and we are sure that even this natural disaster will never put down the spirit of China. We are all together in your pursuit of recovery.

I would like to express my deepest sympathies for the loss of life and the destruction caused by this earthquake.

Valmik Soni from India

on China Daily website

My heart and my feelings go to everyone affected by this terrible event. It is almost impossible to imagine what the people have gone through and the terrible pain in the hearts of the parents of the students trapped in the school in Beichuan.

I am sure that the affected people will want to know that all of us in China today are with them in our hearts at this dreadful time of the terrible tragedy. We are all with the people of Sichuan who have suffered from this very cruel act of nature.

Bruce in Beijing

on China Daily website

This is a terrible natural disaster and I am shocked at the news.

My condolence to the ones affected and to the relatives of those killed. All the best for the ones who still need help. I hope that they remain strong and brave as help gets to them. My heart aches for them and I hope that everyone will act quickly and efficiently to rescue and help them.

It is good to see that the government has moved very quickly and that Premier Wen Jiabao took charge at a very short notice to oversee the rescue operations and lead the rescue efforts in the earthquake area.

I need to see what help I can personally give.

Numero-uno

on China Daily's website

As a Chinese living in the relatively safe Southeastern China, I feel extremely worried and sad to know of so many fellow-countrymen's deaths in this major disaster.

I strongly hope that all Chinese people make all-out efforts in rescuing and helping people who are affected by the disaster. We will definitely overcome this disaster. God bless China!

Jojo Christine

on China Daily's website

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(China Daily 05/14/2008 page9)