Letters of sympathy continue pouring in from the world to Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao in the aftermath of the recent havoc caused by heavy snowfalls in the country.

The latest messages came from Montenegro Deputy Prime Minister Vujica Lazovic, Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Jandrokovic, Zambian Foreign Minister Kabinga Pande, Eritrean Foreign Minister Osman Saleh, Bahrain Foreign Minister Sheikh Khaled bin Ahmad al-Khalifa and Juan Somavia, director general of the International Labor Organization.

The officials expressed sympathy to the victims, holding the belief that under the leadership of the Chinese government, the Chinese people will be able to withstand such severe tests, overcome the disaster and resume normal life.

Heavy snow has been falling in China's eastern, central and southern regions since mid-January, leading to deaths, structural collapses, blackouts, accidents, transport problems and livestock and crop losses in 19 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions, according to the Ministry of Civil Affairs of China.

(Xinhua News Agency February 8, 2008)