国内英语新闻:World supports China's relief efforts, lauds its quake response

BEIJING, April 18 (Xinhua) -- The international community is continuously voicing support for China's relief efforts and praising the government's quick response to the strong quake which hit the country's Qinghai province on Wednesday.

Condolences kept on pouring in on Saturday and Sunday from leaders of foreign countries and international, regional organizations, who sent messages of support to the Chinese government and people via phone calls, letters and other ways of communications with the Chinese leaders.

Expressing his sympathy, Emperor of Japan Akihito said he was deeply saddened by the heavy casualties and property losses in the quake and wished people in quake zones could quickly rebuild their homeland.

Irish President Mary McAleese expressed condolences to the Chinese people, and believed that the unity of the Chinese people would render the most powerful support to the recovery of the affected region.

Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende said he appreciated the Chinese government's all-out efforts to carry out relief work under extremely difficult circumstances and hoped people in disaster areas could turn grief into strength, and overcome the disaster as soon as possible.

Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov said he believed that with solidarity and unity, the Chinese people would overcome this disaster.