On April 20 and 21, a number of foreign leaders and heads of international and regional organizations sent letters and telegraphs to President Hu Jintao, Chairman Wu Bangguo and Premier Wen Jiabao or through other forms to express condolences to the Chinese government and people over the earthquake disaster hitting Yushu, Qinghai.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas sent sincere sympathies to the Chinese people and families of the quake victims. He said he believes that the Chinese people can surely overcome the disaster and rebuild their homes.

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak conveyed sincere condolences to the Chinese people.

Bhutanese Prime Minister Jigme Y. Thinley sent sincere condolences to the Chinese side. He believes that, under the wise leadership of the Chinese government, China will effectively bring the situation under control and the quake-hit areas will return to normal soon.

Takahiro Yokomichi, Japan's speaker of the House of Representatives, extended sympathy to the people affected by the earthquake, and wished for a quick reconstruction of the quake-stricken areas.

Beninese President Boni Yayi sent deep condolences and sympathy to the Chinese people. He said the Benin people will share the woes of those in the earthquake-hit region. He also believed that the Chinese people in the quake-stricken areas will bravely overcome the disaster under the strong leadership of China's government.

Amani Abeid Karume, president of Zanzibar of the United Republic of Tanzania, expressed great sorrow over the huge casualties of the earthquake, and spoke highly of the Chinese government's disaster relief efforts.

Cameroonian President Paul Biya extended his sincerest sympathies to the families of the quake victims and the Chinese people.

Burundi's Senate Speaker Gervais Rufyikiri expressed sincere condolences to the families of the victims as well as respect for the quick response of the Chinese government and the solidarity and mutual assistance displayed by the Chinese people.

Austrian President Heinz Fischer expressed his sympathy to the Chinese people.

Poland's Acting President and Parliament Speaker Bronislaw Komorowski mourned for the victims of the earthquake and conveyed sincere condolences to their families.

Latvian President Valdis Zatlers lamented over the victims and expressed his sincere sympathy to the families of the victims and the Chinese people.

Speaker of the Croatian Parliament Luka Bebic extended sympathy to the Chinese people.

Speaker of the Upper House of the Kazakhstan Parliament Kasymzhomart Tokayev expressed his sincere condolences and deep sympathy to the families of the victims.

Antonio Guterres, the United Nations high commissioner for refugees, conveyed sincere sympathy to the families of the victims.

Amr Moussa, the Arab League's secretary-general, expressed his sincerest sympathies to the families of the quake victims and his wish for a quick recovery of the injured. He also showed sturdy confidence in the Chinese government and the Chinese people in getting over the impact of the disaster.

Meanwhile, Cape Verde's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Overseas Affairs Jose Brito, Croatian Foreign Affairs and European Integration Minister Gordan Jandrokovic and Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic sent messages of condolences to their Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi. Other countries, including Somalia and Micronesia, have also sent their condolences to China through various forms.