On May 13, 2008, a number of foreign governments and leaders sent telegraphs to President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao or issued statements, extending condolence on the massive earthquake disaster in Wenchuan county of Sichuan province.
Kim Jong Il, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and Chairman of the National Defense Commission, extended deep sympathy and condolence to the Communist Party of China (CPC), the Chinese government and the disaster-hit people and expressed hope that under the leadership of the CPC the Chinese people would overcome the difficulties caused by the disaster as soon as possible.
Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh, President Nguyen Minh Triet, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong jointly extended sincere condolence and deep sympathy to the CPC, the Chinese government and people and indicated confidence that under the leadership of the CPC and the Chinese government, the disaster-hit people will be able to overcome the difficulties caused by the earthquake and resume their normal production and life as soon as possible. Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem also sent a condolence telegraph to the Chinese government.
Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej expressed deep grief over the serious injuries and losses of life and property caused by the earthquake, sincere sympathy to the families of the victims and the best wishes to the injured to recover soon. Thai Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama also extended condolence to the families of the victims.
Mongolian President Enkhbayar expressed deep condolence to the Chinese people.
President of Bangladesh Iajuddin extended deep sympathy and sincere condolence to the families of the victims. The caretaker government Chief Adviser Fakhruddin and Adviser for Foreign Affairs Iftekhar also sent condolence telegraph to support the disaster relief efforts of the Chinese people.
South Korean Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Yu Myung-hwan expressed hope that under the leadership of the Chinese government the disaster relief efforts will succeed at the earliest date possible and the South Korean government is ready to provide assistance.
President of the Cuban Council of State and Secretary General of the Executive Committee of the Council of Ministers Raúl Modesto Castro Ruz extended the deepest condolence and sympathy to the Chinese government and people and said Cuba would provide the Chinese government with assistance within its capacity.
Uruguayan President Vazquez and Foreign Minister Fernandez expressed the deepest grief and condolence to the Chinese government.
German President Koehler extended deep sympathy and condolence to the Chinese people and said that at this difficult moment the German people stand side by side with the Chinese people.
Serbian President Tadic expressed condolence to the Chinese government and said that as a sincere friend of China Serbia is ready to offer China assistance within its own capacity.
Deputy Prime Minister of Montenegro Lazovic expressed admiration on the disaster relief efforts of the Chinese government and firm belief that the Chinese people would spare no efforts to overcome the difficulties.